Media and information literacy in the context of Information Fatigue Syndrome is mainly the ability to synthesize the many possibilities into a manageable size. Its functions, however, do not run out here. Media-information literacy is a constant and dynamic process that includes a set of knowledge, habits and skills, needed for our full participation in the modern media and technologically saturated cultural scene. It gives us the opportunity to be critical thinkers and effective communicators. In these times of “Mediocrity” where society is being dominated by all kinds of media, can we claim that media and information literacy is a utopia?

The tendency to overload the communication channels with content and digital noise creates difficulties for the user to sift out credible information, as well as to focus and keep their attention, leading to greater tolerance for errors and lowered criticality of the content we read. Another important point is the entry of social media platforms among the sources of information. This has its own risks because oftentimes times the information shared is not backed up by any ethical or legal norms, i.e. the creation and distribution of content is uncontrolled and we, whether we like it or not, sometimes fall under the influence of irrelevant information. This is a problem that could be reworked and its harm reduced when we strengthen our media and information literacy and challenge our critical thinking.

Today we are not only content consumers but also active creators of it. This new role demands from us not just critical thinking skills and competent communication but also an understanding of ethical norms. In the following lines, I will introduce you to some effective techniques to improve your filtering skills and responsible use of information.

  • Is the editorial staff of the source listed? The editorial staff includes a set of people who are responsible for the preparation and editing of various materials and content. The presence of editorial staff is usually a sign of the accuracy and reliability of information sources.
  • Is the author listed? If you are not familiar with this author and are still in doubt about the credibility of a particular source, you may want to look for their other works as well as their autobiography.
  • How does what you have read/heard leave you feeling? If the information source sounds too extreme, it may be good to look for other information on the topic, to ensure that other authors support the same thesis. This in most cases is a sign of the credibility of the information.
  • Responsibility to the rest of the users. Take care when you share content. Always read thoroughly and ensure that what you share with other users is credible.
  • What are our rights and responsibilities as users? On one hand, it is important to know that we have freedom of speech. On the other hand, if the content that we share is the work of another author, we need to follow certain norms. Example: copyright. Getting familiar with certain rights and responsibilities as users will make us more confident when we look for, use and share information.

Today, more the ever, it is necessary for us to learn how to handle critically and competently the channel of information that permeates our lives from all sides. On the one hand – to preserve ourselves, on the other – to protect other users in the digital world. This statement leads us back to the question “Does it take us a whole entire age to sift through all the information we are constantly bombarded with?” No! It is necessary to define our own information needs, and to find, evaluate and organize the content we want to use. Only after we tackle this task, we will be ready to venture into the digital world of endless possibilities without this venture necessarily causing chaos or discomfort.

 

Bibiliography:

  1. (2018). Media and information literacy – topics to be continued. Yearbook of Department of Mass Communications, 1:127-141.
  2. Boyanova, D., Vasileva, S., Bozhinova, R., Pencheva, E. (2004). Personality, Cognitive style and decision-making. Psychological Research, 2:81-96.
  3. Kolev, N. (2021). The global collapse of trust in social media as news source.Annual of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, 1:55-78.