Media Literacy

Media Literacy Discussion

I really enjoyed the media literacy discussion that we had today. It was very interesting to see how the media works to persuade and impact us through their advertisements and other various forms of media. This discussion was a great way to display how the media controls the message and the different tools that advertisers use that allow us to have a reaction to that message that they wish to give off.

The Media and Students

I believe that media literacy is something that students need to be taught throughout their education. People (and children especially) are very impressionable and can be easily persuaded. I believe that we must demonstrate how and why the media works to influence our society to do, buy, and believe something. If we are aware of how the media does this, we will then be prepared for what the media presents us and we can strive away from giving into ideas that are simply trying to convince us to side with them. Teaching media literacy will also allow for students to be able to question the media, and choose how they will react to it.

Shocking Ideas

I am very much aware that the media does attempt to persuade us to do, buy, or believe something, however; some concepts in today’s presentation surprised me. For example, I did not know about the Boston Marathon bomber who appeared on the Rolling Stones cover controversy. It is truly shocking that the media would allow him to be perceived as a rock star after the tragedy that he had caused. I also was shocked to hear about the Dove commercials and how they are essentially being hypocrites when considering the media. Dove has made many advertisements that provide the idea that the media gives off a skewed perception of women through their ads, however they are also owned by the same company who supplies AXE commercials that state that if men wear AXE women will chase after them. This shows how the media provides ideas that can be ultimately false or made just to influence you into giving in to the product or idea. Media literacy is a very important topic to discuss and teach all students. 

Google Images