Chapter 15
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Improving Information and Media Literacy
Why is it important to understand media? To begin, media play a big role in informing us about the world we live in. For another, the media’s commercial messages can influence how we think and act. These two factors alone dictate that we take a close look at the media, carefully evaluating the information and opinions they share.
The media include all channels of communication—from traditional forms like print newspapers to modern forms like digital-based Web sites. Especially considering the fast-paced nature of today’s messaging, both producers and consumers of information must learn to assess media communications with a critical eye. This chapter provides you with strategies for doing so.