The Case for News Literacy:Why sorting fact from fiction

is a vital 21st century skill

Peter AdamsSVP for Educational Programs

April 8, 2014

“YouTube is becoming a major platform for viewing news.”

-Pew Research Center, 2012

Fake iOS7 Updates

Fake iOS7 Updates

Fake iOS7 Updates

Fake iOS7 Updates

Diane in 7A

Diane in 7A

Diane in 7A

And more…

And more…

Luke Montgomery

Dayna Morales, Cannot Tip

Dayna Morales, Cannot Tip

Dayna Morales, Cannot Tip

Dayna Morales, Cannot Tip

FW: Michigan Food Stamps

Subject: You’ve Gotta Be Kidding

Me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And more…

And more…

And much, much more…

And much, much more…

And much, much more…

And much, much more…

And much, much more…

And much, much more…

And much, much more…

And much, much more…

News Literacy

News Literacy

Information

News Literacy

Information → Decisions

News Literacy

Information → Decisions → Actions

84% of respondents say they are bombarded with information “and would benefit from

learning more about how to gauge what news is trustworthy.” -Cathy J. Cohen, Joseph Kahne,

2012

News Literacy

The critical thinking skills to be able to consume and create credible information across all media and all platforms as students, consumers and citizens.

The critical thinking skills to be able to consume and create credible information across all media and all platforms as students, consumers and citizens.

News Literacy

News Literacy

Credible Information?

News Literacy

Credible Information?

Documentation

News Literacy

Credible Information?

Sourcing

Documentation

News Literacy

Credible Information?

Documentation

Transparency

Sourcing

News Literacy

Credible Information?

Sourcing

Documentation

Fairness

Transparency

News Literacy

Credible Information?

Sourcing

Documentation

Fairness

Independence

Transparency

News Literacy

Credible Information?

Sourcing

Documentation

Fairness

IndependencePursuit of neutrality/ objectivity

Transparency

News Literacy

Credible Information?

Sourcing

Documentation

Fairness

IndependencePursuit of neutrality/ objectivity

Created by?

Transparency

News Literacy

Credible Information?

Sourcing

Documentation

Fairness

IndependencePursuit of neutrality/ objectivity

Created by?

Purpose?

Transparency

News Literacy

Credible Information?

Sourcing

Documentation

Fairness

IndependencePursuit of neutrality/ objectivity

Created by?

Purpose?

Enough information?

Transparency

News Literacy

Credible Information?

Sourcing

Documentation

Fairness

IndependencePursuit of neutrality/ objectivity

Created by?

Purpose?

Enough information?

Transparency

Why it Matters:

?

Why it Matters:If we arrive at a day when all information is understood as equal—as a collection of perspectives from hopelessly biased and flawed contributors—we will have a society in which there are no established truths.

If we sacrifice the notion that at least some things are demonstrably true, on what common ground can we have meaningful civic discourse?

News Literacy Seeks To

• Demonstrate the value of journalistic standards as a “credibility yardstick”

News Literacy Seeks To

• Demonstrate the value of journalistic standards as a “credibility yardstick”

• Foster skepticism and challenge cynicism

News Literacy Seeks To

• Demonstrate the value of journalistic standards as a “credibility yardstick”

• Foster skepticism and challenge cynicism

• Help youth make informed choices

News Literacy Seeks To

• Demonstrate the value of journalistic standards as a “credibility yardstick”

• Foster skepticism and challenge cynicism

• Help youth make informed choices

• Highlight the role that a robust national conversation has in a healthy democracy

News Literacy Seeks To

• Demonstrate the value of journalistic standards as a “credibility yardstick”

• Foster skepticism and challenge cynicism

• Help youth make informed choices

• Highlight the role that a robust national conversation has in a healthy democracy

• Give young people the skills (and confidence) to be civically engaged

News Literacy Seeks To

www.facebook.com/TheNewsLiteracyProject

Follow: @TheNewsLP@PeterD_Adams#newslitchat