by Nelson Graves | 1 Mar 2021 | Health and Wellness, Media Literacy, News Decoder Updates
Two new global prizes will honor news producers who help youth understand COVID-19 and teachers who help students learn about press freedom. Artwork by newsomatic/emma A French not-for-profit that is supported by News Decoder is seeking candidates for two new global...
by Stuart Grudgings | 18 Jan 2021 | Donald Trump, Educators' Catalog, Fake News, Future of Democracy, Media Literacy, Technology
Fake news is already eroding our shared sense of reality. Now, deepfakes and AI stand to fuel disinformation and imperil democracy. An image of a deepfake video of former U.S. President Barack Obama (AP Photo) The unprecedented mob assault on the U.S. Capitol on...
Technology permeates students’ lives and has contributed many economic benefits to the world while bringing far-flung communities closer together. But what of the downsides? The polarization of society? The dangers of spending too much time on social media? Citizens being hoodwinked into believing the unreal? One of the biggest questions facing policymakers around the world today is how to protect democracy without infringing on free speech. It’s a question that is not going to go away and which students would do well to start considering today. In this article, Stuart Grudgings introduces us to some of the disturbing possibilities of deep fake technology and begs the question of what to do about it.
by Bryson Hull | 16 Dec 2020 | Conflict, Government, Human Rights, Media Literacy, Personal Reflections
Journalists and NGOs often rely on each other to inform the world. But beware vested interests. It’s best to follow the money trail to see the full picture. A sign that counter-protesters lit on fire burns after supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump held...
by Enrique Shore | 15 Sep 2020 | Eyewitness, Media Literacy
Technology has revolutionized news photos since I launched my career decades ago. But the maxim “always be prepared” still holds true. All photos by Enrique Shore “Luck is when opportunity meets preparation.” So said Manuel León Lopez, my photojournalism...
by Jonathan Sharp | 8 Sep 2020 | Eyewitness, Media Literacy
Good journalists try to remain neutral. I once hopped on a U.S. military helicopter during the Vietnam War. Had I abandoned my principles? U.S. troops during Operation Lam Son 719, February 1971. This photo was on the last roll of film received from Associated Press...
by Nelson Graves | 16 Jul 2020 | Donald Trump, Fake News, Media Literacy
Propaganda, advertising, political spin, storytelling — fake news can take many shapes. It got its start a long time ago, and there’s no quick fix. The U.S. Declaration of Independence (Wikipedia) This article is adapted from keynote remarks that were to...
by Jonathan Lyons | 24 Jun 2020 | Donald Trump, Media Literacy
U.S. presidents have often twisted the truth. But Donald Trump has flooded the media with falsehoods in a unique challenge to democratic institutions. U.S. President Donald Trump outside the White House in Washington, 24 May 2019 (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik) Donald Trump,...
by Helen Womack | 23 Jun 2020 | Media Literacy
The world has changed dramatically since I was a cub reporter. But facts and truth should still matter in the world of journalism. The Associated Press newsroom in New York, September 1982 (AP Photo/Corporate Archives/G. Paul Burnett) The coronavirus lockdown...
by Deborah Charles | 16 Mar 2020 | Eyewitness, Media Literacy
Ethnic Albanians fleeing fighting presented a dilemma. It was distressing to hear their cries for help. But as a journalist, I was there to bear witness. Ethnic Albanian refugees arrive from Kosovo into Macedonia near Skopje, 29 March 1999 (EPA PHOTO/LOUISA...
by Nelson Graves | 12 Mar 2020 | Media Literacy
In an age of polarized electorates, trust in the media is rock bottom. But good journalists adhere to principles that safeguard fairness and balance. Journalists protest silently in favor of press freedom in Hong Kong, 14 July 2019. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) Good...