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+--- Thread: How does media literacy help with responsible media consumption? (/thread-46542.html)
How does media literacy help with responsible media consumption? - Natalie - 11-27-2012 06:45 AM
- Frank - 11-27-2012 06:54 AM
The assumption here is than an educated consumer will be a smarter, more responsible consumer. That being aware of commercial intent or the tricks of the trade will make one more resistant to being "manipulated" into buying a product or uncritically accepting a point of view. That understanding how media is created and how all the tools and techniques (like camera angles, lighting, colors, music, etc.) are used by the professionals will make one more apt to identify and appreciate really good media products. That understanding that all media is created by someone for some purpose will make one a more skeptical and questioning media user.
Think about music. The more you know about music, the more you can appreciate all the layers of sound in a piece, the more you can tell something rich and complicate from something really simple and derivative. If you're a composer or a musician. maybe you're more apt to respect copyright and not share files.
However, even with a degree in music, you may still like a really plain and simple song and not care for a complex modern symphony. Same thing with all media. Just because you're educated about media literacy doesn't mean you won't like Jersey Shore or Real Housewives, doesn't mean you won't sometimes violate copyright and unethically share something, doesn't mean you won't be taken in by a fake website or bad information online and it doesn't mean that you'll never post something you shouldn't on Facebook or Twitter. You may have a better chance of appreciating art and avoiding pitfalls with media literacy education, but there's no guarantee.