Open dialogues about media literacy and factual information can create conflict; Why does this happen? 

Nowadays, there are countless media companies and formats. The advantage of this is that people have more sources to obtain information, but one of the disadvantages is that the competition in the media industry is intensified, so many media companies choose to create fake news to get more clicks and views. Fake news published by media companies can often achieve the effect of manipulating people’s perception of reality and influencing people’s political positions and so on. Therefore, fake news leads many people choose to believe false information, which is a major reason for provoking and fueling conflicts when it comes to open dialogues about media literacy and factual information.

What is the benefit of having a PLN that values media literacy?

Media literacy is the backbone of understanding the media and their role in our society. Media literacy also provides some basic skills necessary for critical thinking and analysis. Therefore, it’s also important to have people in your personal learning network who value media literacy, who can help us distinguish between real and fake information as well as help us with critical thinking and analysis skills.

References:

The danger of fake news in inflaming or suppressing social conflict. Center for Information Technology and Society – UC Santa Barbara. (n.d.). https://www.cits.ucsb.edu/fake-news/danger-social 

Media and Information Literacy – Digital Citizenship Education (DCE) – publi.coe.int. Digital Citizenship Education (DCE). (n.d.). https://www.coe.int/en/web/digital-citizenship-education/media-and-information-literacy