Soc/105 Media Literacy

Running head: MEDIA LITERACY

Media Literacy
University of Phoenix

Media Literacy
      Media literacy is about questioning or thinking about what the message is behind advertising and determining the answer based upon all the facts provided. Media literacy has also been called “Media Education” (Tallim, n.d., ¶ 1). It is about understanding, determining and searching out the truth involving information from the media.
      As consumers of information, it is our responsibility to regulate what information we digest from the media as well as regulate the exposures we have towards the vast amounts of resources available. Americans are in constant contact in some form of media education and information between the electronic mail, postal mail, television ads, billboards, newspapers and listening to the radio while driving. It is apparent that this is not by accident but understood within the media circles that this is the best form to get people’s attention in order to send the message or sell a product.
      As consumers to these slogans and advertisements, the responsibility to digest and determine the truth or relevance to what is being said and advertised falls upon us, the American population. Even the some advertisements might be looked upon as unsuccessful, there are those that will listen and react in the way it was advertised for. The American population has a responsibility to use critical thinking in deciding to accept what the media publishes or to ask questions to conclude the relevance to the published information.

Reference
Tallim, J. (n.d.). What is Media Literacy? Retrieved March 5, 2010, from http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/teachers/media_literacy/what_is_media_literacy.cfm [continues]

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