Chapter 1

Introduction to Media and Information Literacy

Prof. Somerset Elcid R. Siang

University of Mindanao
Introduction to Media & Information Literacy
MIL plays an important role in the
communication and information dissemination.

Media and Information will enable us to access,

understand, and create communications in a
variety of contexts in the form of accessing,
understanding and creating media and
information.
ROLES OF MEDIA
Introduction to Media & Information Literacy
Media play several roles. They:
• act as channels of information and knowledge
through which citizens communicate with
each other and make informed decisions.

• facilitate informed debates between diverse

social actors.
Introduction to Media & Information Literacy
Media play several roles. They:
• provide us with much of what we learn about
the world beyond our immediate experience .

• are means by which a society learns about

itself and builds a sense of community.
Introduction to Media & Information Literacy
Media play several roles. They:
• function as a watchdog of government in all its
forms, promoting transparency in public life
and public scrutiny of those with power
through exposing corruption,
maladministration and corporate wrongdoing.
Introduction to Media & Information Literacy
Media play several roles. They:
• are essential facilitators of democratic
processes and one of the guarantors of free
and fair elections.

• are a vehicle for cultural expression and

cultural cohesion within and between nations.
Introduction to Media & Information Literacy
Media play several roles. They:
• function as an advocate and social actor in its
own right while respecting pluralistic values.
MEDIA LITERACY SKILLS
Introduction to Media & Information Literacy
Media literacy skills can help children, youth and
adults:
• Understand how media messages create
meaning.
• Identify who created a particular message.
• Recognize what the media maker wants us to
believe or do.
• Discover the untold part of the story.
Introduction to Media & Information Literacy
Media literacy skills can help children, youth and
adults:
• Evaluate media messages based on our own
experiences, beliefs and values.
• Create and distribute our own media
messages.
• Become advocates for change in our media
system.
BASIC CONCEPTS
Introduction to Media & Information Literacy
Basic Concepts:
• Media construct our culture.
• Media messages affect our thoughts, attitudes
and actions.
• Media use “the language of persuasion”.
• Media construct fantasy worlds.
• No one tells the whole story.
• Media messages contain “texts” and “subtexts”.
Introduction to Media & Information Literacy
Basic Concepts:
• Media messages reflect the values and
viewpoints of media makers.
• Individuals construct their own meanings from
media.
• Media messages can be decoded.
• Media literate youth and adults are active
consumers of media.
MEDIA AND INFORMATION
LITERACY DOMAINS
Introduction to Media & Information Literacy
MIL Domains:
• Media Literacy
• Information Literacy
• Technology Literacy
• Computer Literacy
• Digital Literacy
• Internet Literacy
• Library Literacy
• News Literacy
ACTIVITY
Introduction to Media & Information Literacy
Media Bias:
Sometimes, the information shown on the
media are manipulated in such a way that will
create a perception based on what the media
wants us to see.
Introduction to Media & Information Literacy

Using the image on the

right, purposefully
create a “manipulated”
story that will depict a
good publicity and a
bad publicity.
Introduction to Media & Information Literacy