LESSON 5: MEDIA AND INFORMATION SOURCES
• 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.
• 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
• 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.
*Discuss the following topics on libraries:
a. Types of libraries - Libraries are often classified in 4 groups, namely: academic,
public, school and special. These libraries may be either digital or physical in form.
b. Skills in accessing information from libraries - Due to the wealth of information in
a library, it is important to know the following:
• The access tool to use
• How the information being accessed may be classified
• The depth of details required--some libraries provide only an abstract of the topic
• More detailed information might require membership or some conformity to set
rules of the source (ex databases).
c. Characteristics of libraries in terms of reliability, accuracy and value - 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.
*Discuss the 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true, it may not be reliable if it is outdated and may have lost relevance.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.
• Discuss the 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.
• Discuss the following topics on the alternative media:
a. Current popular alternative media (search for examples)
b. 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.
Mind Mapping
Discuss the concepts of indigenous media and information by developing a mind map. Start by defining
keywords and connect it to other terms. If new related ideas come to mind, write it on the board and
draw a line to the other ideas related to it.
• Indigenous - native; local; originating or produced naturally in a particular region.
• Indigenous knowledge - knowledge that is unique to a specific culture or society; most often it is not
written down.
• Indigenous communication - transmission of information through local channels or forms. It is a
means by which culture is preserved, handed down, and adapted.
• 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.
Discuss the importance of indigenous media
and information.
• Popular media cannot reach some rural
areas. While print, broadcast, and new
media have a wide reach, there are still
areas that these forms of media have
not reached.
• 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.
• Ignoring indigenous media and
information can result in development
and education programs that are
irrelevant and ineffective.
• Forms of indigenous media and their
local examples:
a. Folk or traditional media
b. Gatherings and social organisations
c. Direct observation
d. Records - may be written, carved, or
oral
e. Oral instruction
SAMPLE MIND MAP
society
education
culture
media
knowledge
communications
indigenous
indigenous
media and
Note: Just add more idea and give many examples.
