Currently, we are overwhelmed by a plethora of news sources in our digitally saturated world. Think about how many news companies you can name? It is the easiest it has ever been to access information of all sorts, and as a result, the easiest it has ever been to be lied to. The valuable ability to think critically has been slowly eroded away by social media, and the lack of opposing viewpoint. It is vital we maintain our critical thinking and political literacy. 

Critical Thinking – the application of logical principles, rigorous standards of evidence and careful reasoning, analysis and discussion of claims, beliefs and issues. 

Echo Chamber – In media, where individuals only encounter views, they agree with. 

A key concept in democratic societies is the concept of political literacy. Political Literacy encompasses knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for effective discussion and engagement in civic life.

As a result, the politically literate are more likely to know when they are being lied to, taken advantage of and manipulated. When you are unsure of a claim, a useful rule to follow is to be skeptical of the claim, and not to fully believe or trust it. 

Media and Radicalisation

This is where media literacy plays a crucial role. Over 50% of the UK regularly gets its current affairs news through mainstream media outlets, like the BBC, Telegraph, Guardian etc. Among people between 18 to 24, 60% of people get their news from social media. Data sourced from YouGov

Social media companies use past data of your interactions, to recommend content they think you would like. As a result, people get trapped in echo chambers where they progressively get more radicalised and cut off from other views. 

Radicalisation – change in belief to one where there should be extreme social change 

Understanding what an algorithm is pushing, to get you on a site for longer, is a crucial step in maintaining critical thinking. It is getting harder to spot what images/videos are real and which ones are AI generated. Such content has already been used to lie to people and impersonate people, especially politicians.  

Such content can get into the media and spread lies. Additionally, media companies will push an opinion, usually because they have a fixed narrative, or the corporate structure affiliates them with a political doctrine.  

When have companies followed a political doctrine?

For example, when ESPN, a sports show, interviewed Joe Biden with Sage Steele as the interviewer. Sage Steele revealed on the Patrick Bet David Podcast, that the entire interview was scripted. It was authorised with the Biden-Harris team on what would be discussed.

For many companies, forcing an opinion keeps them relevant, powerful and rich. Something that they do not want to lose. 

In conclusion, the relationship between media literacy and political literacy is symbiotic, each reinforcing and enhancing the other. By equipping individuals with the skills to critically evaluate media content, we can cultivate a more politically literate populace. Capable of engaging thoughtfully in democratic discourse. Navigating the complexities of the information age, political and media literacy will shape the course of our democracy’s future. 

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Cover Image – KENT NISHIMURA