The free online course that teaches you how to decode the media
If you find mainstream news depressing, you are not alone. According to a recent poll by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, 38 percent of us avoid news, up from 29 percent in 2017.
To address this issue, a News Literacy Network has been launched that aims to teach people how to engage with the news without being overwhelmed by negative feelings. The nonprofit will help people develop the crucial skills from an early age to understand the role the news plays, the impact it has on us, and most importantly, know where else to look to find a… develop a more accurate worldview.
“The news plays such an important role in our lives, whether you’re a news addict or a news avoider, it affects us all,” said Jodie Jackson, founder of the News Literacy Network. “We want to give people the skills to navigate the news in a way that gives them reliable information about the world and the ability to act on that information. I believe that news literacy is an essential life skill and should be part of the curriculum.”
In addition to offering a free Get News Lit digital course, the network is a comprehensive resource for educators and parents that connects them to the kind of solution-focused journalism that Positive News pioneered.
The News Literacy Network has also partnered with three schools in south London to run a six-week pilot program for sixth form students to train them in news literacy.
The ultimate goal is to open the course to parents in a nationwide news literacy program to be rolled out in libraries across the country.
Main image: Roman Kraft
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