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The quality of our knowledge of public matters is commensurate with the quality of the media that deliver us the information
upon which we rely to create our own opinion of what is right and what is wrong, whom to vote for or against, etc.
On one side, we support free speech, the plurality of opinions and systemic checks and balances,
with the media acting as a counterweight to political and economic powers.
On the other side, we must find remedies against the excesses of unrestrained free speech, fake news, manipulative media,
money politics, and media controlled by powerful vested interests.
We must find a way to strike a balance between these apparently contradictory injunctions.
How can we, collectively, become media-savvy, foster reliable and trustworthy media, etc.?
Framing and narrative
The same news item can be framed very differently, depending on the point of view.
A random incident can be entirely dismissed by one side of the political divide,
and blown out of proportion by the other.
Although we are already aware that media and political operatives use such framing and intently crafted narratives,
we are still often unconsciously subject to their effects.
We have to renew our efforts to be on guards against the divisive effect media framing can have.
We have to teach younger generations how to intelligently consume news.
Media and artificial intelligence
In very recent times, artificial intelligence has started entering every domains of our lives.
It is now also entering the media landscape,
with news agencies like Ground News embracing the technology to compile news from different sources.
Google is offering a new AI-powered service called Genesis to news outlets. [1]
It is getting increasingly difficult for just about anybody to verify the veracity of any information
popping up in our news feed. Here are a few ideas to develop:
- Rely on professional media with a history of professionalism, trustworthiness and accountability.
- Subscribe to such professional media: they the citizens' financial support to remain independent and to investigate each story.
- Do not rely on social networks as a primary source of information.
- Do not stay too long online, enmeshed in a virtual world.
- Get involved in the real world: take part in your physical community, in your neighbourhood.
- Aim to go to the source of any information.
- For every argument made in a political discussion, aim to provide a source.
For good or for evil, openly or covertly, countries routinely influence each other's media landscape.
Some countries have adopted legislation to control, regular, curtail or restrict foreign influence.
Reporters Without Borders is an international non-profit and non-governmental organisation
with the stated aim of safeguarding the right to freedom of information.
It describes its advocacy as founded on the belief that everyone requires access to the news and information,
in line with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that recognizes the right to receive and share information regardless of frontiers.
Often, we consume too much information for our own good.
Media democracy is a democratic approach to media studies that advocates for the reform of mass media
to strengthen public service broadcasting and develop participation in alternative media and citizen journalism
in order to create a mass media system that informs and empowers all members of society and enhances democratic values.
Social media use in politics refers to the use of online social media platforms in political processes and activities.
Media ethics is the subdivision dealing with the specific ethical principles and standards of media, including broadcast media, film, theatre, the arts, print media and the internet.
Media ethics promotes and defends values such as a universal respect for life and the rule of law and legality.
The Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) is a progressive nonprofit watchdog and advocacy organization based in Madison, Wisconsin.
The Schumann Center for Media and Democracy was established in 1961, by Florence Ford and John J. Schumann Jr.
The foundation states that its purpose is to renew the democratic process through cooperative acts of citizenship, especially as they apply to governance, and the environment.