Effects of media literacy on students’ values

SINCE its conception, media has been one of the prime agents of societal change. During Marcos’ declaration of martial law, major news stations have been shut down because they can stir public opinion. They can definitely help as far as staging a coup d’etat.

Since time immemorial, media has been the source of news. In this day and age, life without technology feels utterly impossible and life without the media is simply unimaginable. Media provides us with entertainment, information and comfort.

Media is even acknowledged as the powerful pillar of democracy. It is through media that people can know what the government is doing.

The media has the capacity to hold the government accountable, forcing them to explain their actions and decisions, all of which affect the people they represent. The assumption in some societies is that the press speaks for the people, thus the freedom of speech and freedom of the press acts in the countries.

The reason for freedom of the press is to ensure that democracy is able to function, so it is important to understand that such legislation does not only protect the functions of the press. With press freedom we then know what the differing views in society

are, opening the floor to debate and discussion, all of which aid healthy functioning of a democratic society. Media has the ability to create change, both on a social and governmental level. All journalists have the responsibility to report the unbiased, accurate information as it is received from reliable sources. It is their obligation to obtain all sides of a story and to report on both the good and the bad stuff.

However, responsible journalism also requires a balance of the good and bad stuff in newspapers and in broadcast reports.

Social media platforms that millennial students grow up to – Facebook, Twitter, I nstagram, Pinterest, blogs, vlogs, YouTube, among others – has a wider coverage as well as a wider viewership than in many years. Its reach is exponential.