Media Literacy, Democracy, and the Challenge of Fake News

• In Event: 35.079 - Sheraton Roundtable Session Five - Grand Centre
  In Roundtable Session: 35.079-6 - Media, Bias, and New(s) Literacies

Abstract

This paper considers the concept of fake news for media literacy education. In recent times, the term has been employed to describe fictitious articles that spread easily among social media sites like Facebook. This essay seeks to explore both the reasons for its ascent and how it contributes to understanding the changing media landscape that has been deeply influenced by new media technologies, and what this means for educators seeking to address media literacy in light of the challenges presented by fake news. The authors conclude that these issues are systemic and thus require a more profound response than media literacy has presently offered.

Authors

• Lance E Mason, Indiana University - Kokomo

• Daniel G Krutka, University of North Texas

• Jeremy D. Stoddard, University of Wisconsin - Madison