Media Literacy - The Power (and Responsibility) of Information | Lisa Cutter | TEDxCherryCreekWomen

Summary

The speaker passionately discusses the alarming spread of misinformation online and its divisive impact, from family gatherings to societal unrest. Emphasizing the importance of credible journalism, they highlight the decline in newsroom investments and the closure of small-town newspapers. The speaker advocates for discerning fact from opinion, understanding media bias, and using fact-checking resources to ensure the integrity of information that influences our lives and democracy.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The speaker emphasizes the significant impact of communication and the alarming spread of misinformation on the internet.
• 🗣️ Misinformation can lead to real-life consequences, as illustrated by the speaker's personal anecdote involving a family member.
• 📉 There has been a notable decline in trust in media and a decrease in investment in news media since 2004, leading to fewer journalists and newsrooms.
• 🏢 The closure of 1,300 small-town newspapers signifies a loss of community information sources, impacting local governance and accountability.
• 📰 Credible news sources employ professional journalists who adhere to a code of ethics, striving to provide unbiased and factual information.
• 📉 A 47% decrease in investment in newsrooms since 2004 has contributed to the erosion of trust in media.
• 🤔 The speaker encourages the audience to be aware of cognitive biases that can influence the interpretation of news and information.
• 🔍 To be a responsible consumer of news, one should verify news by checking for ethical principles, editorial guidelines, and fact-checking.
• 📊 Media bias charts can help consumers discern credible news sources by showing the political leanings of various media outlets.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Fact-checking websites like PolitiFact and Snopes are valuable tools for verifying the accuracy of news stories.
• 🌟 The speaker concludes by stressing the importance of education and informed decision-making for the health of democracy.

Q & A

What is the speaker's main concern regarding the internet?

The speaker is alarmed by the proliferation of false information on the internet, which has reached alarming levels, especially during the 2016 presidential cycle.

Why did the speaker's distant family member stop coming to Thanksgiving?

The family member stopped coming to Thanksgiving because of a disagreement over misinformation posted about Barack Obama that the speaker tried to correct.

What role does the speaker believe news media should play?

The speaker believes that news media, as the Fourth Estate, should hold people accountable, help understand what's important, and discern fact from fiction.

How has the investment in news media changed since 2004?

There has been a 47% decrease in investment in news media since 2004, leading to fewer news products and a reduction in the number of newspapers.

What impact does the closure of 1,300 small-town newspapers have on communities?

The closure of 1,300 small-town newspapers means that 1,300 communities are not getting the information they need to govern their lives, including updates on school boards and city councils.

What is the speaker's view on the barrier to entry for digital news platforms?

The speaker acknowledges that there is no barrier to entry for anyone to start a digital news platform, but emphasizes the importance of discerning credible sources from opinions.

What is the role of professional journalists according to the speaker?

Professional journalists adhere to a code of ethics, strive to provide unbiased and factual information, and are essential for credible news sources.

Why is it important to consider cognitive biases when consuming news?

Considering cognitive biases helps consumers of news media understand what's really true and not, as biases can influence how we interpret events and information.

What is the significance of ethical principles and guidelines in credible news sources?

Ethical principles and guidelines in credible news sources ensure honest, fair, and fearless news gathering, reporting, and interpretation of information, maintaining editorial independence.

How can consumers of news media verify the credibility of a news source?

Consumers can verify the credibility of a news source by checking if it adheres to a set of ethical principles, has editorial policies, and is transparent about potential conflicts of interest.

What is the speaker's advice on dealing with deep fake videos?

The speaker advises skepticism towards deep fake videos, suggesting that consumers should not always believe what they see and should verify the authenticity of videos.