By Emmanuel Joseph
A new study is recommending the formal introduction of media literacy in schools across Barbados and other Caribbean countries as part of an eight-point Action Plan to combat misinformation and disinformation and to rebuild trust in news media.
The recently-released research which has the backing of UNESCO, the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM), and the Media Institute of the Caribbean (MIC), concluded that encouraging media literacy through education in the school system would develop the next generation of media-literate citizens.
The study has its genesis in a two-day virtual stakeholders media workshop which was part of a wider project spearheaded by the Public Media Alliance on Developing a Situation Report and Action Plan on Media and Information Literacy and Disinformation in the Caribbean.
One action point requires key regional media workers to be guided by a code that not only supports their efforts in fighting both disinformation and misinformation but also keeps them accountable to the public by emphasising the value of rigorous fact-checking and verification processes.
The plan also calls for a public awareness campaign with the support of key stakeholders on how to identify misinformation and disinformation.
“It is important that key stakeholders, including media organisations, governments, and educators work together to support the citizenry,” the researchers stated.
A fourth point in the action plan calls for the creation of a knowledge hub as an online resource centre for regional media practitioners. This is considered to be one tool to fight misinformation and disinformation. According to the report, regional media workers must have access to guides, research, forums, and the latest insights that keep them up-to-date on efforts across the Caribbean.
The need to invest in technology that’s necessary to combat the evolving elements of misinformation and disinformation is also highlighted by the study which pinpoints the need for a commitment to train and develop the region’s journalists, whether through their media organisations or national or regional initiatives. Such training must focus on the principles of good journalism, including accuracy, independence, and accountability.
The researchers further suggested that the existing collaboration among journalists in the region, including media associations and media houses be increased and strengthened and that the issue of “Big Tech” and online misinformation and disinformation via an industry-wide approach, be addressed.
emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb
