Media Smart

Information now shapes the decisions of everyone from large corporations to private individuals, yet easy access to information does not guarantee that it is trustworthy. In a digital environment, facts can be reshaped to serve political, social or financial goals, so media literacy has become a basic skill worth teaching. This book is written for librarians, classroom instructors and other information professionals who want to build that skill in their students.

The book begins with the history of media manipulation and then turns to the practical uses of media literacy, with a focus on preparing students to resist misinformation and disinformation. It examines how technology influences the information that reaches us, offers a short overview of the psychology involved in processing what we read and see, and explains the different ways media content can be manipulated.

Throughout, the author gives advice on recognizing false or misleading material and avoiding it, giving educators concrete guidance they can bring into their teaching.