I believe media literacy to be the ability to engage with various media resources effectively and appropriately. It is not only knowing how to communicate through the media properly but additionally, how to utilize all the tools and resources at your disposal. The criteria for media literacy is that an individual needs to provide reliable, accurate information. Being literate in the media allows you to inspire creativity and influence others as well as supplying information and knowledge.

Notable individuals are using media to promote themselves and their projects very effectively. Access to the media allows them to network and form connections globally, thus they can partner with other individuals or companies. Importantly as well, notable individuals are using the media to speak out on current issues, news, and events.

The benefit of being in the public eye to your personal learning network (PLN) is that it gives you exposure, allowing you to expand your network and form connections. Public PLNs are great opportunities to learn from and teach others.


Oftentimes employers provide tools and media for employees to build an online community. Although building a community with online tools from an employer can be beneficial because of its accessibility, the connections it may foster, and the easier access to support and help, there are still risks involved. This may affect an employee’s sense of autonomy as there is no choice in platforms, this makes the experience less personal and may inhibit creativity.


Building a PLN to rely on requires using reputable sources and websites, as well as multiple sources to cross-check information. Finding experts on social media, joining webinars, virtual events, and forums, and watching videos or talks are all effective ways to create a reliable PLN.


The way veteran storytellers minimize spreading misinformation is by using accredited sources, and multiple sources, by keeping information accurate and up to date, and by connecting and working with others.


How I would personally curate my social media with a critical public audience is by ensuring that I keep it professional and reliable. I would avoid spreading misinformation by first fact-checking what I am sharing, as well as gathering information from reliable sources. Additionally, I would collaborate with others and stay active and up-to-date to produce the best content. Another value of mine would be to always acknowledge mistakes, thus building trust and respect.


The benefits of building an audience and a large following in the media are that it allows you to expand your PLN, and develop connections, and it gives you influence and a reputation, with this all leading to more opportunities. However, along with all of these benefits, there are risks associated. The risks include a significant decrease in privacy and safety, receiving hate and negative comments, as well as the possibility of you being misinterpreted. This is a serious consideration when building a following because these consequences may cause social and mental anguish.


How to best address negative comments according to my values would be to not react emotionally. Giving yourself time to cool off and think avoids a situation where you say something you might regret. As well, I would always react professionally and respectfully because I believe in treating everyone with respect. It is not worth riling up the negative commenter and escalating the situation. These negative experiences allow you to learn and grow from them and teach you how to avoid them in the future. I also think it is important to be able to move on from the situation, otherwise, it will stay haunting you, limiting your development.


Open dialogues about media literacy and information can often create conflict. This may be because people have different ideologies and criteria about what it means to be literate in the media, as well they may misinterpret media literacy. Another reason people may create conflict surrounding media literacy is that they do not possess media literacy themselves and therefore do not understand it.


Overall, I believe it is very beneficial to have a PLN that values media literacy. This gives you credibility, shows your reliability, forms deeper connections, as well as generates discussion.