Critical thinking & media literacy

Critical thinking is the virtue of reflecting and analyzing things objectively to create an opinion or judgment based on the ability to think about problems without accepting them to find solutions.

Characteristics

• one must be aware before believing,

• creativity is essential

• independence of thought,

• always be willing to investigate

• It must be considerate and reasonable.

• impartiality

To develop critical thinking we must question everything to know what is false and what is true, we must also examine all the information to be objective, we must also ask simple questions and think for ourselves, in this way we will have a good critical development.

When we talk about media literacy, we refer to the possibility of having within our reach all the forms of communication that we know today or accessing some of them, whether they are written, visual or audio sources.

literacy is important to help people integrate into society and get out of poverty. 

The highest levels of literacy are found in North America, Europe, and East Asia. 

The lowest levels are found in the poorest elements of society and in the poorest parts of the world, such as Africa and the Indian subcontinent.

Media literacy aims to educate young people about communication tools and how to use them responsibly.

In addition to giving them the ability to use these tools critically and creatively to forge a better society from its foundations.

Critical thinking is crucial in media literacy because it helps individuals to evaluate, analyze, and interpret media messages accurately. 

With the vast amount of information available through various media channels, it is essential to develop critical thinking skills to distinguish between facts, opinions, and propaganda. 

Media literacy involves understanding how different media outlets create and convey their messages, identifying the intent and impact of those messages, and developing the skills to analyze and evaluate them critically. 

Critical thinking skills enable individuals to question and analyze the messages presented in the media, to evaluate the credibility of the sources and the information, and to identify any biases or agendas behind the messages. 

Moreover, critical thinking skills help individuals to avoid falling prey to misleading or false information, manipulation, and propaganda. 

In today's world, where fake news and misinformation are prevalent, it is essential to develop critical thinking skills to differentiate between credible and unreliable sources of information.

- Andrés Camilo Barros Mercado