Week 2

When discussing understanding media literacy it is basically like reading a book or is it? Media Literacy is sort of like a 3-D book, several ideas are displayed for you at the same time. The media uses different characters, songs, sounds, colors, etc... to influence a person's opinion on a certain subject. Even when the media is in magazine form, more is being presented than what meets the eye. As stated in the article: "Critical media literacy involves cultivating skills in analyzing media codes and conventions, abilities to criticize stereotypes, dominant values, and ideologies, and competencies to interpret the multiple meanings and messages generated by media texts. Media literacy helps people to use media intelligently, to

discriminate and evaluate media content, to critically dissect media forms, to investigate media effects and uses, and to construct alternative media." Basically by studying media literacy critically we can try to understand the entire message presented in whatever form given. We have to look not only at what is being presented but by what is being said by not being said. The picture being the simple part of the message while the subliminal  message being the real meaning and the audience to be affected."The media has a huge effect on popular culture. Television programs underscore stereotypes of various groups of people. By looking at the media critically, students develop an awareness of the messages that are portrayed through the media." (readwritethink.org)