Media and Information Sources

Lesson 5: Media and Information Sources
MEDIA AND INFORMATION SOURCES
1. Library – library materials may be either digital or physical in form. Library can include a collection of
books, periodicals, newspapers, manuscripts, films, maps, prints, documents, CDs, cassettes, videotapes,
e-books, audiobooks, and other formats. Libraries of published books are often considered highly
reliable, accurate, and valuable. Books and documents from dominant sources are often peer reviewed.
ISSN or ISBN registration ensures that standards were followed in producing these materials.
2. Internet - Information found on the Internet may be quite varied in form and content. Thus, it is more
difficult to determine its reliability and accuracy. Accessing information on the Internet is easy but
requires more discipline to check and validate. Factual and fictitious data are often merged together.
Sources always have to be validated.
3. Alternative media – The rise of alternative media and information and other alternative forms of
communication and distribution have become popular. These include social media, blogs, and flash mob
performances. These alternative forms provide greater freedom and power to ordinary individuals and are
a quicker way of distributing information. The downside is that a lot of the information being passed
around is biased and inaccurate.
4. Indigenous media and information - original information created by a local group of people. This also
refers to content about indigenous peoples that may be distributed through dominant forms of media or
through forms of communication unique to their people group. Indigenous media and information are
highly credible because they are near the source and are seldom circulated for profit. Indigenous media
are channels for change, education, and development because of its direct access to local channels.
▪ Forms of indigenous media and their local examples: (a) Folk or traditional media (b) Gatherings
and social organizations (c) Direct observation (d) Records - may be written, carved, or oral (e)
Oral instruction
Ignoring indigenous media and information

can result in development and education programs
that are irrelevant and ineffective.
THE R-A-V-A-T OF INFORMATION

RELIABILITY of information - Information is said to be reliable if it can be verified and evaluated. Others
refer to the trustworthiness of the source in evaluating the reliability of information.
▪ Skills in determining the reliability of information.
a. Check the author. The author’s willingness to be identified is a good indication of reliability.
b. Check the date of publication or of update. While the information may be true, it may not be reliable
if it is outdated and may have lost relevance.
c. Check for citations. Reliable authors have the discipline of citing sources of their information.
d. Check the domain or owner of the site or page. The domains .edu and .gov are reserved for academic
institutions and the government, respectively. Information from such sites are presented with caution
and are usually well grounded. Site owners may have an agenda that affects the manner by which
information is presented.
e. Check the site design and the writing style. Credible sources take time to make their information
accessible and easy to comprehend.
ACCURACY of information - Accuracy refers to the closeness of the report to the actual data.
Measurement of accuracy varies, depending on the type of information being evaluated. Forecasts are said
to be accurate if the report is similar to the actual data. Financial information is considered accurate if the
values are correct, properly classified, and presented.
▪ Skills in determining accurate information.
a. Look for facts.
b. Cross-reference with other sources to check for consistency.
c. Determine the reason for writing and publishing the information. Check if the author is
objective or leaning heavily on a certain point of view.
d. Check for advertising. Advertisers may use related information to market their product.
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Media and Information Literacy
Lesson 5: Media and Information Sources
VALUE of information - Information is said to be of value if it aids the user in making or improving
decisions.
AUTHORITY of the source - Much of the information we gather daily do not come from a primary source
but are passed on through secondary sources such as writers, reporters, and the like. Sources with an
established expertise on the subject matter are considered as having sound authority on the subject.
TIMELINESS - Reliability, accuracy, and value of information may vary based on the time it was
produced or acquired. While a piece of information may have been found accurate, reliable, and valuable
during the time it was produced, it may become irrelevant and inaccurate with the passing of time (thus
making it less valuable). Other information may be timeless, proven to be the same in reliability, accuracy,
and value throughout history.
It may be difficult to fully determine the

reliability, accuracy, value, and
timeliness of any information, as well
as the authority of the source, literacy
in media and information benefits from
the development of these skills.
References:
▪ Cantor, Olivia Linsangan. Media and information Literacy. Quezon City: Vibal Group Inc., 2016.
▪ Pitagan, F., Andres, V. P., Rotor, C., Vilbar, A., Villanueva, C. (2016). Media and Information Literacy-
Teaching Guide. Diliman, Quezon City: Commission on Higher Education. Retrieved from e-mail:
[email protected]
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Media and Information Literacy

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Lesson 5: Media and Information Sources

MEDIA AND INFORMATION SOURCES

Ignoring indigenous media and information

THE R-A-V-A-T OF INFORMATION

It may be difficult to fully determine the

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