Why mindful media consumption matters

Using media literacy to discern content experts from content wannabes

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

Media teach you how to live

My favourite quote about the power of media to inform how we live our lives is from critical media literacy theorist Douglas Kellner. Media, such as movies, TV shows, or even this blog post you’re reading right now, “educate us how to behave and what to think … and what not to,” as well as “teach us how to be men and women” (Kellner, 2014, p. 7).

Setting aside the problematic binary of “men and women,” Kellner makes a strong point: the media you consume teach you how to live. Assuming he’s correct (which I do), it’s important to ask, How do I want to live? And when considering what media to consume, we all need to ask, Who should I listen to, and why?

Misinformation and disinformation

This is incredibly relevant in an age defined by mis- and disinformation. (An important distinction: misinformation is misleading information that is not intentionally so, while disinformation is “wrong on purpose” with the intention to deceive.)

So, how can you tell if the media you’re consuming is grounded in true, factual information, rather than being constructed with the intention to deceive?

I have years of media studies under my belt that informs how I consume media, and generally my choice is not to consume most media at all. Like many, I find it stressful to sort through what is ‘real’ and what is ‘fake’, not to mention the anxiety that comes from the simple act of scrolling through hundreds of opinions in a matter of minutes.

If I were to share one tidbit that helps me discern which media to consume and which not to, it would be to ask yourself this question: Does the person writing this have the authority and training to grant them expertise on this topic?

The problem with Medium.com

While I support those who are “gaming the system” on Medium to gain 100 followers in a day and become a part of the partner program, the issue is that most writers on Medium do not have the expertise to speak on topics such as “5 ways to ____________” (because it really doesn’t matter what).

I consider myself an expert on digital and media literacy because I have a Master of Arts in Communication and Media Studies and defended my thesis on adult digital literacy. I am also working towards a PhD in Information Studies. So, I know my shit. So do a lot of Medium writers. So do a lot of writers off Medium.

However, the content collapse currently caused by capitalism (oooh, what a nice alliteration) is threatening to misinform the masses.

So, Medium readers: make sure you trust the author before consuming the article. Even reading an article teaches you how to live. So be mindful and selective of who your teachers are.

How to discern expertise

I’ll finish this piece with a few simple steps on how to discern the content experts from the content wannabes:

1. Look for credentials
   Like I mentioned, I have an MA and am working towards a PhD in the topics I write about. That lets you, the reader, know that I’m sharing knowledge that has taken years to build.
2. Look for jargon
   Even though writing with jargon is usually a bad thing (especially when writing towards a wide audience), jargon can signal that the writer has expertise in the topic because they are aware of the vocabulary.
3. Look for science
   There is currently an attack on science and scientists. Whether you’re reading about COVID (epidemiologists) or media literacy (social scientists), make sure the person publishing that information has two (scientific) legs to stand on.

References

Kellner, D. (2014). Cultural studies, multiculturalism, and media culture. In G. Dines & J. Humez (Eds.), Gender, race, and class in media: A critical reader (pp. 7–19). London, UK: Sage.