Media Literacy Human Communication Dr. Inas A.Hamid

Do we have a role in the mass communication process?  Consuming media content is simple. Push a button and you have television pictures or music on a radio. Come up with enough cash and you can see a movie or buy a magazine.  We have high level skills that make the most sophisticated television show, movie, or magazine story understandable and enjoyable. This what we can call the ability to understand media text.

 Media influence our culture in many ways. One of its effects according to many people is that it has encouraged violence in our society.  So, we have a role in the mass communication process, it is a skill we can improve to create and maintain our culture.  If you have this skill, you are a media literate.

 Media literacy is the ability to effectively and efficiently use any form of mediated communication.  Competences that enable people to analyze and evaluate media messages and also to create effective messages for mediated delivery.

characteristics of media literacy  A critical thinking skill enabling audience members to develop independent judgments about media content. Why do we watch, read what we read, listen to what we listen to? If we can not answer these questions, we have no responsibility for ourselves or our choices. So, we have taken no responsibility for the outcome of those choices.  An understanding of the process of mass communication. If we know the components of the mass communication process and how they relate to one another, we can form expectations of how they can serve us. How do the various media industries operate? What are their obligations to us? How do different media limit or enhance messages? Which forms of feedback are most effective, and why?

 An awareness of the impact of media on the individual and society. Mass media helped change the world and the people in it.  Having strategies for analyzing and discussing media messages. We need a foundation on which to base thought and reflection as understanding the strategy behind the placement of photos on a newspaper page, using a camera angles and lightening.  An understanding of media content as a text that provides insight into our culture and our lives.

 The ability to enjoy, understand, and appreciate media content. This means not to be suspicious of harmful effects and cultural degradation.  Development of effective and responsible production skills that enable individuals to create useful media messages even producing a telephone answering machine message.  An understanding of the ethical and moral obligations of media practitioners.

Media literacy skills  The ability and willingness to make an effort to understand content, to pay attention, and to filter out noise.  An understanding of the power of media messages on the attitudes, behaviors, and values.  The ability to distinguish emotional from reasoned reactions when responding to content and to act accordingly. Media content is often designed to touch us at the emotional level. Reacting emotionally does not mean these messages do not have serious meanings and implications for our lives.

 The ability to think critically about media messages, no matter how credible their sources.  A knowledge of the internal language of various media and the ability to understand its effects ( the choice of lighting, editing, special effects, music, camera angel, location on the page, and the size and placement of headline).

 How media literate do you think you are? What about those around you?  What are your weakness as a media literate person?