Media Literacy is defined by wikipedia.com as the process of accessing, analyzing, evaluating and creating messages in a wide variety of media modes, genres and forms. In this day in age, there we are exposed to millions of media messages and hundreds of different media mediums to convey those messages. As a person living in a technological era full of influence from media, it is vital that I am media literate.
Neil Postman was my first advisor of media literacy in his book “Amusing Ourselves to Death.” His whole idea is that the media overall has a negative effect on society in general. Specifically, Postman uses the news as an example of how the news of the day is turned into a commodity and lacks quality and relevance and reaches for entertainment instead. Although I do not completely agree with Postman’s pessimistic view of the media, his points allowed me to examine the news and television medium closely and ask myself: “Is this news/TV informing me sufficiently or simply entertaining me?” I think this an important question for everyone to ask themselves each time they sit in front of the set in order to maintain media literacy.
College students such as myself must seek media literacy as new forms of media are being developed everyday. For example, the new I-Phone is a media mastermind with instant internet access, video, photos, music, and of course it can be used to call people. A blogger named Tom Hume talked about how the iphone attracts a particular audience of people who are already obsessed with surfing the web and are avid Apple fans. However, statistics have shown that 30% of buyers were first time Apple customers and 40% were buying their first ipod in the iphone. My media literacy causes me to ask the question, “Have we become so dependent on the media that we are willing to pay upwards of $500 for a cell-phone?”
Another aspect of the media we need to be aware of is where we lie on the media influence line. As stated by the text, Media Literacy by James Potter, if too close to the manifestation line, a person could easily act out according to what they’ve seen in the media. For instance, someone who plays a violent video game may act out violently due to influence from the media. Its important to remain in the safe zone and not be over-influenced by what type of media you are exposed to.
A way to exercise your media literacy muscles is to use the 4 step media literacy method: Awareness, Analysis, Reflection, and Action.
People need to be AWARE of the media message being conveyed and use their media filters to interpret it properly and be careful not be manifested by the message.
ANALYSIS is the process of searching for political, economic, social, cultural and personal context in which to think about the theme. Ask the question: “How is this media message relevant to political, economic, social, etc. context?”
When REFLECTING we need to sit back and think about what is right or wrong with the message according to your personal values/beliefs?
ACTION is the final step that deals with doing something after going through the first three steps of this process.
Following these four simple steps can help maintain consistent media literacy. In this era of abundant media exposure, it is definitely a MUST to be media literate.
Neil Postman was my first advisor of media literacy in his book “Amusing Ourselves to Death.” His whole idea is that the media overall has a negative effect on society in general. Specifically, Postman uses the news as an example of how the news of the day is turned into a commodity and lacks quality and relevance and reaches for entertainment instead. Although I do not completely agree with Postman’s pessimistic view of the media, his points allowed me to examine the news and television medium closely and ask myself: “Is this news/TV informing me sufficiently or simply entertaining me?” I think this an important question for everyone to ask themselves each time they sit in front of the set in order to maintain media literacy.
College students such as myself must seek media literacy as new forms of media are being developed everyday. For example, the new I-Phone is a media mastermind with instant internet access, video, photos, music, and of course it can be used to call people. A blogger named Tom Hume talked about how the iphone attracts a particular audience of people who are already obsessed with surfing the web and are avid Apple fans. However, statistics have shown that 30% of buyers were first time Apple customers and 40% were buying their first ipod in the iphone. My media literacy causes me to ask the question, “Have we become so dependent on the media that we are willing to pay upwards of $500 for a cell-phone?”
Another aspect of the media we need to be aware of is where we lie on the media influence line. As stated by the text, Media Literacy by James Potter, if too close to the manifestation line, a person could easily act out according to what they’ve seen in the media. For instance, someone who plays a violent video game may act out violently due to influence from the media. Its important to remain in the safe zone and not be over-influenced by what type of media you are exposed to.
A way to exercise your media literacy muscles is to use the 4 step media literacy method: Awareness, Analysis, Reflection, and Action.
People need to be AWARE of the media message being conveyed and use their media filters to interpret it properly and be careful not be manifested by the message.
ANALYSIS is the process of searching for political, economic, social, cultural and personal context in which to think about the theme. Ask the question: “How is this media message relevant to political, economic, social, etc. context?”
When REFLECTING we need to sit back and think about what is right or wrong with the message according to your personal values/beliefs?
ACTION is the final step that deals with doing something after going through the first three steps of this process.
Following these four simple steps can help maintain consistent media literacy. In this era of abundant media exposure, it is definitely a MUST to be media literate.
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