Let’s talk about media literacy

This national conference is what everyone needs right now in the transition to the technological period

When we say literacy the first thing that comes to mind is the ability to read and write. As defined by the Oxford dictionary, its secondary denotation, on the other hand, is “competence in a certain field.” Media literacy is therefore the ability to identify various types of media and understand the messages being sent. At present, the youth takes in a great deal of information from a wide array of sources, far beyond the traditional media such as television, radio, newspapers, and magazines. There are viral videos, text messages, memes, video games, social media, advertising, and so much more. The digital era has made it easier for anyone to create media, which poses a problem that contributes to public health concerns, bullying and aggression, depression, substance abuse, and the proliferation of fake news, among many other issues. It is through media literacy that we get a better grasp of interpreting the information we see, as well as enable us to be more thoughtful and deliberate in creating our own messages.

To achieve the level of literacy we need to keep media alive, we must recognize good writing and good writers and, as a nation, we must come together to lure them out of their hiding places, to develop them, to empower them, and to keep them going.

—AA Patawaran

Now that the Covid-19 pandemic has propelled the world into the epoch of new media, knowledge of the digital world has become all the more important. “Intermidya 2020: Exploring the Multidisciplinary Ecosystem of the Digital World through Media Literacy” is a national conference that addresses the need of our times to further people’s comprehension of media today. From aspiring media practitioners to everyday consumers, from scholars to educators, everyone should benefit from taking part in the two-day online event organized by the media and communication department of the Trinity University of Asia.

“This conference will help participants to become wiser consumers of media as well as producers of their own media that are relative in their respective fields. In a larger context, media literacy also fosters the skills that help people work together in collaboration because it encourages respectful discourse and builds citizenship skills,” says Prof. Al Ryanne Gatcho, secretariat of Intermidya 2020. “November is such a timely month because we look forward to learning or increasing our knowledge before this year ends,” he adds.

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Giving their insights on the media literacy conference are dignitaries from the media industry, technical committee for communication member from the Commission of Higher Education Dr. Jose Reuben Alagaran II, president of Future Thinkers Philippines Dr. Lizan Perante-Calina, multiplatform reporter of ABS-CBN integrated news and current affairs Jacque Manabat, and Manila Bulletin’s very own lifestyle editor AA Patawaran. Communication specialists from various education institutions are also invited to talk in the digital event.

The conference will be held on Nov. 27 and 28, and can be viewed through Facebook www./facebook.com/ncml.2020 and YouTube Live www.youtube.com/channel/UCGvz1VPpcBZXsTmbjgORqQ.

Register via bit.ly/2HtfJH7 or scan the code.