The role of media literacy in fighting disinformation
The role of media literacy in fighting disinformation

Author(s): Ralitsa Kovacheva
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Media studies, Communication studies
Published by: Факултет по журналистика и масова комуникация, Софийски университет „Св. Кл. Охридски”
Keywords: media literacy; news; misinformation; fact-checking
Summary/Abstract: The text analyzes the main advantages and disadvantages of approaches to dealing with disinformation based on media literacy. Key definitions (media literacy, news, and media literacy) from the point of view of the concept of disinformation and, in particular, fact-checking as a strategy to counter disinformation are considered. The role of social context (ideological polarization, political propaganda), technological context (online media, social media), post-truth, and cognitive distortions are taken into account. Some of the conclusions in the article are based on our empirical study of the criteria that journalism students use to identify media reports as „fake”. The author argues that fact-checking and media literacy are not in themselves a panacea in the fight against disinformation, but that our societies need to invest more resources and efforts in supporting quality media and quality journalism.

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