Creating Your Own Media
Not too long ago, mass communication was largely a one-way street. The tools for delivering information to large audiences were neither accessible nor affordable for the average person. But that has changed with the advent of the Internet and new digital technologies.
Today, these inexpensive, accessible, and efficient tools offer you a unique opportunity to create media messages for a global audience. Even taking a photograph on your smart phone and uploading it to a social-media site can result in a meaningful media message. Creating your own media messages is an important part of media literacy, as it will provide you with a new perspective on the news-making process. Here are some ways you can become a media maker. The projects in part three of Inquire will go into more depth on how to create different media forms.
How can I produce media?
- Start your own blog.
- Make a post on a social-media site (see page 272).
- Upload a video online (see pages 518–519).
- Create a Web site (see pages 592–595).
- Contribute to your school newspaper.
- Record a podcast (see pages 510–511).
- Respond to someone else’s blog.
- Contribute to a wiki (see page 596–597).
- Take a photograph and post it online.
- Create a public-service announcement (see pages 520–521).
- Submit a short story (see page 454–456).
- Create an interesting visualization or infographic (see page 500–503).
- Design an online poster.
- Write a play or movie script.
- Write a movie or restaurant review.
- Create a digital story.
- Submit a letter to the editor of your local newspaper.
- Design a video game.
- Record a song.
Your Turn Create a meaningful media message in at least two different formats. Think of ways to deliver it to the largest possible audience.
How can I edit my media creations?
Part of media literacy is making responsible choices about your own media creations. For the best results, hold your own content to the same standards as you do to the other media messages you evaluated in this chapter. Always do your best to avoid publishing information that is false, inaccurate, or hurtful. Begin the editing process by applying the questions in the “Media-Message Evaluation Checklist” on page 240 to your work. In addition, consider the following tips.
▶ Give It Time
Unless you are working on a tight deadline, take a break before you begin editing. Being rested will make you more alert to your work’s shortcomings.
▶ Know Your Audience
The way you speak to your close friends is different from the way you speak to your teacher or boss, so match your style and level of language to your target audience. Remember, too, that your audience may be wider than you think. This is especially true of work published online. Always be careful about what you say and how you say it. Take caution with humor and sarcasm. And consider the impact the message will have on its primary and secondary receivers.
▶ Consider All Sides
Look over your content and make sure you have considered all sides of the story. Ask yourself: Is my content fair and well supported? Is there another side to the story that I have ignored completely? Am I letting my emotions control my message?
▶ Check Your Text and Images
If your message includes text, correct all spelling, grammar, and usage errors (see pages 191–196). An error-free message keeps the audience focused on the content. If your message includes images or video, check the resolution and formatting.
▶ Give Credit
Mention the sources of any borrowed ideas, images, or words to avoid plagiarizing and exploiting the work of others. (See pages 392-395 for tips for avoiding plagiarism.)
▶ Get a Second Opinion
Your own evaluation of your work is vital, but always ask a trusted classmate or peer to review your work in order to identify issues you missed.
Your Turn Find a media message you recently published—a school paper, a blog entry, a social-media post, or so on. Critically analyze the work using the “Media Message Checklist” on page 240. What improvements, if any, would you like to make to the message?