Introduction to MIL1

INTRODUCTION:
MEDIA & INFORMATION LITERACY

MEDIA LITERACY
• is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media. The word media refers to the
different means of communication, such as television, radio, newspapers, magazines, and
the Internet.

MEDIA LITERACY:
Importance
a) Media literacy exercises critical thinking when analyzing different forms of media;
b) Effectively engages students to apply critical thinking skills to a wide range of issues;
c) Allows one to discern what information is factual, truthful, and objective through critical
thinking;
d) Enables students to become competent in processing and assessing the form of media. A
media literate person is able to think independently and makes his own opinion instead
of relying on what the media dictates; and
e) Makes students well informed in using the different forms of mass media
simultaneously. (using intellectual and artistic sense in creating useful and effective
forms of media)

INFORMATION LITERACY
• is the skill that allows a person to recognize when information is needed and how he will
be able to access, locate, evaluate, and use it effectively.
• Importance of Information Literacy: (a) lets you distinguish which among the
sources of information are relevant; (b) allows you to organize and classify the different
forms of media which can be used to secure relevant and substantial information; (c)
develops effective research skills essential in enriching knowledge and enhancing
comprehension; and (d) involves all disciplines and all levels of education (through it, one
is able to gather essential information and utilize this essential information to expand
knowledge).

TECHNOLOGY LITERACY
• is the ability to acquire relevant information and use modern-day tools to get, manage,
apply, evaluate, create, and communicate information.
• Importance of Technology Literacy: (a) Past and present technologies both provide
convenience and efficiency; (b) Technology is associated with machines, equipment, device,
or any invention that show advancement in scientific knowledge, engineering, and
computer concepts; and (c) With technological discoveries and breakthroughs, people
nowadays are even hoping to find cure for dreaded incurable illnesses, like brain cancer.

CREATORS OF MEDIA AND INFORMATION
• Writers and journalists. Their primary role is to translate relevant and meaningful information into printed
materials, such as books, newspapers, and magazines.
• Editors. Writers and journalists work hand in hand with editors to ensure that the manuscript or articles
submitted by the former are high in standard and are fit to print. They make sure that the material to be
published is free from factual and grammatical errors.
• Directors. Also known as filmmakers, directors create movies, shows, programs, or plays that are seen on
theaters or television channels and see to it that the message of the show is made clear to the audience.
• Performers. They portray the characters in movies, shows, or plays. Other performers are singers and
dancers who express their creativity and inner thoughts through their craft.
• Visual Artists. Paintings and sculptures are some of the masterpieces that visual artists create to express a
message or their deeper thoughts.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD MEDIA
PRACTITIONER
• Truthfulness. Media practitioners should convey a message or information that is
accurate, factual, and truthful. Erroneous or false information can harm the reputation of
others or it may cause them danger.
• Fairness and objectivity. The information or message disseminated by media
practitioners should be objective and based on grounded evidence. If information is
biased or opinionated, it will deceive the public of the truth.
• Responsibility and integrity. Media practitioners are expected to show
professionalism regardless of the situation they are in. They should possess a sense of
responsibility and accountability when acquiring and communicating information.

TYPES OF MEDIA
• Print media (Book e.g. reference books such as almanac, dictionary, thesaurus, and
atlas, newspaper, magazine, leaflet, flyer, etc.)
• Broadcast Media (Radio, Television, Film)
• New Media (Internet)-- Web page, Hypertext, Instant Messaging, E-mail,
Distance Education, E-books, Online shopping, Media Convergence (modes of connection
like broadband, cable and Wi-Fi)

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD MEDIA
PRACTITIONER
• Empathy and sympathy. Media practitioners empathize when they put themselves in
the shoes of those who are in need and sympathize when they feel the sorrow of those
who experience adversities. Thus, they should be sensitive to the needs of others.
• Hard working. The public depends on the information media practitioners deliver that
is why they are expected to work hard in sourcing accurate information. The public
regards media practitioners highly, so they must not compromise the public’s interest.

ADVANTAGES OF A MEDIA AND INFORMATION
LITERATE INDIVIDUAL
1. Improved quality of life
2. Greater political participation
3. Better economic opportunities
4. Improved learning environment
5. More cohesive social units