By KORTNEY LANG
Tiger Media Network
As the 2024 Presidential Election gets closer, it is important to be knowledgeable about the information consumed online. Throughout the coming weeks until November 5, social media will be booming with information regarding the election and its candidates. But what is the best way to differentiate fact from fiction?
The Center for Media Literacy defines media literacy as the ability to access, analyze, evaluate and create media in a variety of forms. In other words, it is the ability to determine the accuracy or credibility of the mass media.
With the number of spaces to consume media continuously multiplying, it is essential to pinpoint what information is truly informative and what part of the information is misleading or malicious. As people spend a decent amount of time scrolling through social media, the tricky ways that these platforms present information can lead consumers to believe they are “informed” about a certain topic. But often only part of the information is completely true.
“By fostering media literacy, individuals gain the ability to detect biases, allowing them to differentiate between fact-based reporting and content intended to shape public perception,” FHSU Communication Studies Professor Grant Coffman said.
To practice media literacy, one may need to familiarize themselves with the subject at hand. According to The Progressive, media literacy is not just about how you read the news-it’s about how we form ideas, opinions, and alliances.
Those who follow the election process continuously are often more inclined to consume factual information compared to those who only see part of the process. When believing the information that social media presents, it is important to expand individual knowledge on the topic to ensure the information is truly factual.
“When we can understand who controls media outlets, how content is regulated, and the potential agendas behind it, people are better prepared to make informed decisions about candidates and their respective policies,” Coffman said.
The mass media is known to present information that is appealing to its particular audience, even if the information is not true. When seeing information throughout the media about the presidential election, it is important to practice media literacy.
FHSU student Khloe Schneweis said she practices media literacy by looking up more information on the topic and fact-checking what she sees.
“Anyone can post on social media, so we don’t always know if the information is true or not,” she said.