Ralph Beliveau
Five Key Concepts of Media Literacy
- All media messages are “constructed.”
- Each medium has different characteristics, strengths, and a unique “language” of construction.
- Different people interpret the same media message in different ways.
- Media messages are produced for particular purposes, including profit, persuasion, education, and artistic expression.
- Media have embedded values and points of view.
Six Questions to Ask about Any Media Message
- Who made – and who sponsored – this message, and for what purpose?
- Who is the target audience, and how is the message specifically tailored to them?
- What are the different techniques used to inform, persuade, entertain, and attract attention?
- What messages are communicated (and/or implied) about certain people, places, events, behaviors, lifestyles, etc.?
- How current, accurate, and credible is the information in this message?
- What is left out of this message that might be important to know?