Not Left or Right Leaning
MSAC has been promoting our workshop “Empowering the Public: Building Critical News Literacy in a Digital Age." with Urban Rural Action and News Literacy Project for a while. The feedback we are receiving is that the workshop is bias and left leaning. While it is true, left leaners are concerned about news literacy, all sides of the political spectrum can be taken in by misinformation. This workshop is not aimed to “show you the error of your ways” but to inform all citizens about the media, how it operates and how to be a good consumer of whatever news you choose to read. We believe that news literacy is essential for all news readers.
There are several reasons why news literacy is vital to a community. It encourages individuals to approach information critically, irrespective of their political affiliations. It helps them evaluate the credibility and reliability of news sources, question biases, and discern between fact and opinion. This ability is essential for avoiding echo chambers and making informed decisions.
Knowing how to read the news guards against misinformation and disinformation, which can be found across the political spectrums news outlets. News literacy equips individuals with the tools to identify false or misleading information, regardless of its source. By fact-checking and cross-referencing information, individuals can avoid spreading misinformation and contribute to a more accurate public discourse.
Both political sides fall victim to confirmation bias, where we seek out information that aligns with our preexisting beliefs. News literacy encourages individuals to challenge their own biases, actively seek diverse perspectives, and engage with differing opinions. This helps foster a more inclusive and constructive political dialogue.
News literacy encourages and empowers individuals to access a broad range of news sources, understand complex issues, and engage in meaningful debates, thereby promoting a healthy democratic society.
You might be thinking, “Why is a mediation service bringing a workshop about news literacy to town?” Mediators are concerned about communication in their communities. We spend hours with people during their divorce, for example, so that they will be better communicators in their families, jobs, and community. We listen to people when they are in their deepest conflict, so they can know what it feels like and hopefully learn the value of listening to others. This is all communication. It’s what we do. We want us all to do it better.
The evening’s event will cover topics such as media bias, fact-checking techniques, source evaluation, and online verification tools. Participants will learn how to identify red flags that indicate unreliable news sources, such as sensational headlines, unsupported claims, misleading images, AI, and commentary verses news writing. We guarantee your voice will be heard. This is a nonpartisan program that makes no attempt to discredit any media outlet or promote another. Did I mention free food?
You are invited to attend:
“Empowering the Public: Building Critical News Literacy in a Digital Age."
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
7:00pm-9:00pm
Valentine Hall Room 206
Registration and Refreshments will be served at 6:30pm.
Please fill out the form on our website www.mediateadams.org