Jodie Jackson
Jodie is founder of the News Literacy Network, author of You Are What You Read: why changing your media diet can change the world and of the children’s book, Little Ruffle and The World Beyond. Jodie has devoted the last ten years to researching the damaging impact of the negativity bias in the news on our mental health and the health of our society, as well as investigating the impact of solutions-focused journalism.
PRE-VIEWING TASKS
Answer the following questions:
- What does the term «fake news» mean to you? How do you differentiate between credible news and misinformation?
- In what ways do you believe the news affects your perception of reality and your mental health? Can you recall a specific instance where news coverage influenced your feelings or actions?
- Are you aware of any cognitive biases that might affect how you interpret news? Can you think of examples where your biases may have influenced your understanding of a news story?
- What do you think news literacy entails? How can it help individuals navigate the complexities of modern news media?
WHILE-VIEWING TASK
Answer the following questions:
- How does Jackson define news literacy? What are the three pillars she mentions, and why are they important for navigating news effectively?
- What examples does Jackson provide to illustrate the impact of negative news on mental health?
- How does Jackson argue for the inclusion of stories about solutions and progress in news reporting? What potential benefits does she suggest this could have for society?
- What specific strategies does Jackson recommend for developing healthier news habits?
- How does Jackson suggest we should approach the news we consume? What does she mean by the phrase «to be confirmed,» and how can it guide our engagement with news?
POST-VIEWING TASK
Answer the following questions:
- How do you think the negativity bias in news reporting affects society as a whole? What are some potential consequences of this bias on public perception and behavior?
- Why do you think it is important for news outlets to report on solutions and progress? How might this shift in focus change the way people engage with current events?
- How can individuals and communities work together to combat misinformation? What role do you think social media plays in this issue?