Global Media Issues

Copyright and Media Literacy

Media literacy education requires the use of media in the classroom so it’s important for educators and administrators – as well as students and parents – to have a basic understanding of the structure and purpose of legal frameworks addressing intellectual property, particularly regarding copyright.  This issue includes interviews with copyright experts Renee Hobbs, professor of communication studies, and David Sohn, copyright lawyer.  The MediaLit Moments activity offers a simple way to introduce the concept to students. 

Media Representation LGBTQ and Media Literacy

Representation is at the heart of media literacy. In this issue of Connections, we invite you to explore representation from two individuals’ perspectives, discussing non-binary and LGBTQ gender identities.  We interviewed Alexx Souter, advocate, and Rich Ferraro, Chief Communications Officer of GLAAD, a media advocacy organization for LGBTQ.  CML News includes an article by Tessa Jolls and Michele Johnsen, "Media Literacy: A Foundational Skill for Democracy in the 21st Century," published in the Hastings Law Journal.  

Data Representation and Media Literacy

Mathematics and science have always been relevant to applying media literacy, but there is now a true urgency to providing students and adults with the fluency they need to put media literacy to use in evaluating quantitative as well as qualitative information. In this issue of Connections, we interview two leaders of data-centric organizations. We also report on the International Media Literacy Research Symposium and GAPMIL NA meetings recently held in Portugal. 

Bots, Terrorism, and Media Literacy

This is our 100th issue of Connections! We appreciate the interest and support of the media literacy community.  In this issue,  we interview two scholars who explain how terrorism has infiltrated the online world, how computational social science focuses on predicting future behavior in regards to terrorism, how bots undermine our trust in social media, and how media literacy can help.  Interviews with Dr.

Redefining School Communities - March Issue Connections

In this issue of Connections, we discuss schools as online and offline communities, and how media literacy skills can empower students to actively and responsibly address the difficult topics and risks of our day. We share front-line insights from National School Walkout Day, with a case study on media literacy in action. We also explore how to help students understand their own part in communities, with parent involvement. Includes interviews with Rose Pierre-Louis of Connecticut Public’s Thinkalong program, and Mary Ann Sund of Lersun Development. 

Empowerment: From Theory to Practice to Activism

In this issue of Connections, we illustrate how theory, practice and activism work together through current research and implementation programs being conducted at the University of Southern California (USC).  We feature a dialogue between Henry Jenkins, a leading media scholar and Provost Professor of Communication, Journalism, and the USC School of Cinematic Arts, and CML’s Director, Tessa Jolls.  Their conversation focuses on David Bordwell’s insightful film theory and how it informs today’s media literacy work.

ESL and Media Literacy

While teaching English as a second language isn’t often a focus of discussions for media literacy, the number of ESL students alone should argue for more emphasis and visibility for this educational imperative. CML interviewed Raul Alberto Mora, Ph.D., who emphasizes language learning and critical media literacy in his work with university students and preservice teachers in Medellin, Colombia, as well as Camilo Andres Dominguez-Cruz, a native of Colombia, who now teaches ESL in a North Carolina primary school, Sallie B. Howard School for the Arts and Education. 
 

Gender Representation in Media

The representation of gender in media has long been a subject of fascination as well as critical analysis and change management for those advancing and practicing media literacy. In this issue of Connections, we highlight two organizations addressing these issues worldwide. Promundo, founded in Brazil in 1997, promotes gender equality and violence prevention by engaging men and boys in partnership with women and girls. The Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP) teams with more than 100 countries to keep accurate data on gender representation in the news. 

Confirmation Bias and Media Literacy

This issue of Connections explores confirmation bias and the role it plays in our decision-making process. We interviewed professor Jason Ohler who says, “confirmation bias is fake news’ best friend.”  We also introduce our new CML Fellow and Affiliate Michele Johnsen.   Note correction:  the famous bias study cited as a resource was authored by Albert Hastorf and Hadley Cantril. 

Trust Through Technology?

Should we place hope in technology for solving some of the problems technology helped create? Maybe. One approach worth looking at is BlockChain (distributed ledger technology) which might help to solve the riddle of where information originates, and how it morphs and proliferates.  CML interviewed Ian O’Byrne, internationally recognized educator and researcher, on the topic of BlockChain technology and its connections to media literacy. 

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