As defined by Julie Smith, media literacy is the process of constantly thinking and critically questioning the media in which we are consumed (2021). One particular comment that I found very interesting and true that is mentioned in her podcast is the fact that we tend to be more interested in what we personally believe, rather than what is actually true. With the advancement and growth of media producers and social media as a whole, everyone has the ability to put whatever ideas or theories they have online. Media has allowed essentially anybody to voice their opinions, regardless if they are an ‘expert’ on the topic or not. This is one of the risks of engaging with public figures and trusting everything that you consume through the media. Media literacy is so important as we really all need to think critically about what we are consuming in order to prevent harmful misinformation. The idea of freedom of speech kind of comes into play here as it can be difficult to pose repercussions – to what extent is freedom of speech not a valid defence for the spread of misinformation?
When having your own public PLN, it is important to understand the potential risks and be prepared for any negative critiques or interactions that are often inevitable. In the podcast with Sophie Lui, she spoke specifically about the misogyny that is present within the online media world (2022). For women, creating connections with other female public media users creates a sense of network and relatability that can help in coping with negative comments. She mentions that despite all the negativity that can be present online, there is so much appreciation for the now wider intellectual online world that was not present years ago.
Why might somebody want to create a public PLN? One reason may be to stay relevant and within the public eye. While this might not matter to some people, for others there is value in maintaining relevance in such an extensive and developing medium. Further, it is great to connect with different perspectives and challenge your own thoughts or beliefs. Having a reliable online network allows for feedback and personal and professional development to a much different extent to face-to-face interaction (Smith, 2021)
References
Miller, J. [MILLER]. (2021, June 6). EDCI 338 – Media Literacy with Julie Smith [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57r3-aEnci0
Miller, J. [MILLER]. (2022, June 6). Sophie Lui – EDCI 338 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfcXgKLzOVM
