Have you noticed that X (formerly known as Twitter) is losing users? NBC News and The Guardian discussed how X users have declined by 23% since November 2022, and according to Fox Business, many journalists have left X due to Elon Musk’s changes that make it difficult to share content. These events have occurred because…
Editing a Wikipedia Article
For the last month, I’ve been learning about the ins and outs of Wikipedia, learning the value and contributions that have created the platform. Many volunteers worldwide write, edit, and revise articles together. This week, I got to taste of what this was like. I decided to edit an article about a children’s book author,…
Testing ChatGPT’s Credibility
A few days ago, I asked ChatGPT to write me a blog post of 250 words about the differences between the key features of the writing software Scrivener and LivingWriter. I wanted to test the accuracy and smoothness of ChatGPT. The response I received was troubling and quite fascinating at the same time. Glancing at…
Protecting Consumer Data and Privacy
Cyberattacks have increased 75% in the last year. Hackers have recently breached well-known companies, such as AT&T, American Express, Microsoft, etc. Many consumers have suffered from unauthorized access and leaks of their personal information. How does this relate to Digital Media Literacy? Responsible media creators must strive to protect their media consumers’ privacy and data…
Deepfakes Impact on News and Media
Have you seen the video of Tom Cruise dancing on a lawn in a bathrobe to the remix of Lady Gaga’s song “Bloody Mary”? Have you seen Keanu Reeves dancing in the kitchen on TikTok? Then you’ve seen a deepfake. A deepfake is a machine-learning algorithm that manipulates photos, audio, or video. One aspect of…
Civic Imagination and Culture Resources
Civic imagination bleeds into many movies, songs, books, memes, etc. Everyday users, writers, painters, filmmakers, etc., seek to better society. They imagine new worlds and warn others of political, social, and economic issues. One 2023 culture resource movie, The Pod Generation, directed by Sophie Barthes and starring well-known actress Emilia Clarke and actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, warned…
Stereotypes and Generalizations in Media
Stereotypes and generalizations are all around. Due to media and algorithms, our assumptions of other people are encouraged and can sometimes be harmful. In my life, I struggled with the backlash of stereotypes and generalizations regarding my homeschooling education. The little media that acknowledges the existence of homeschoolers paints them as appearing socially inept and…
Fact-Checking Conspiracies
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon with thousands of people tuning in and watching live from their homes. Many soon saw this monumental event as a hoax, and it has become an example of how conspiracies start and can stick despite fact-checking. The theory first began as a…
Fact-Checking Misinformation
Misinformation frequently floats across the internet and social media, and it’s vital to learn how to fact-check information. In this blog, I will discuss fact-checking with the example of misinformation and the help of three news companies: Reuter, NBC News Center Maine, and USA Today. In early January of this year, there were claims on…
My 24-Hour Media Diary on Privacy and Security
For this week, I did a 24-hour media diary on January 25, 2023, to discuss the importance of privacy and security. Many companies collect and track personal information and target consumers. Below are my findings about the companies and services I use that frequently target me. 6:00 a.m. – Lately, when I wake up on Thursdays,…