INTERSECTION OF MEDIA LITERACY AND CRITICAL THINKING BUILDING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES.

Abstract

As media continue to play pivotal role in shaping public perception, their power in polarising or building cohesion in communities take the centre stage. Over time, the trend of media messaging having integrity test deficiencies has become a concern. In effect, the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation in media messaging poses a threat to societal stability. This paper explores the basis and application of media literacy and critical thinking in pushing back integrity deficient messaging in the media. It setsthe introduction of five “W”s and “H” to media consumers as a toolto upgrade media literacy and critical thinking as a major objective. It is anchored on two theories: the Critical Media Literacy theory by Douglas Keller and Jeff Share and the Participatory Media theory by Henry Jenkins.The paper utilizes the mixed methods research design, applying quantitative survey and qualitative Focus Group among staff and students of Veritas University, Abuja. From a population of 7354,(Registry, Veritas University, 2024), the Taro Yamane statistical formula was used to get the sample size for the survey. The sampling reflected both stratified and random. Purposive sampling served for the Focus Group. For data collection, the questionnaire instrument was used, applying closed-ended and Likert-scale questions.Data presentation was made in statistical tables. The major findings include:(i) Over 63% of the respondents have not at any time used the five “W”s and “H” as a tool to test the integrity of messaging in media. (ii) Over 69% of the respondents are aware that information of suspect integrity is a regular feature of mainstream legacy media even if they appear not to question it. (iii) An overwhelming 98% of the respondents are not aware of any specific handy tool to test the integrity of message in the media. Recommendations for (i) public awareness campaigns; (ii) identifying community thought leaders to initiate training on five “W”s and “H” as handy tool to test information integrity in communities; (iii) embedding media literacy in education systems are proposed as a remedy and pathway to critical thinking and community resiliency.