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News Literacy

For centuries, the press has served a crucial role in society as the "Fourth Estate;" a significant source of social influence that frames the current political landscape and advocates for the free and transparent exchange of information between government and the public. How, then, did we arrive at a point where 47% of Americans admit that they struggle to understand the difference between fact and fiction, particularly when presented with information online? According to the Center for News Literacy, digital technology and social media make it possible to create and widely share misinformation that looks like it's from an authoritative source. We all want information as quickly as possible, but as the conflict between speed and accuracy accelerates, so too does the chance that the information will be wrong.

Our complicated news landscape requires a news literate society. In brief, news literacy is the ability to determine the credibility of news and related content, including the ability to identify different types of information and to use the standards of fact-based journalism to determine what to trust, share and act on. Empowering individuals of all ages to be critical consumers and creators of news is an essential skill in the 21st century; educators, governments, tech companies, medical professionals, and individuals around the world all have a responsibility to combat the rampant spread of misinformation, conspiracy theories and fake news. Becoming news literate also means recognizing the critical role of the First Amendment and a free press in a democracy. With news literacy skills, individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of experience can actively participate in and engage with civic life.

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