At first glance, information appears as a force that opens the door to opportunities. However, as the volume of information increases, so does the amount of unreliable, fake, manipulative, and harmful information contained in it. Therefore, modern society faces two important tasks. The first is to protect information and digital systems from external and internal threats. The second is to protect people from the influence of false, manipulative and harmful information. The first task is related to the concept of information security, and the second is implemented through media literacy.
Information security and media literacy are not separate areas. They are interconnected and complementary defense mechanisms. Technical tools can protect your computer, phone or database. But one can protect one's mind, one's views and decisions only through knowledge, critical thinking and the skills of correct evaluation of information.
New threats in the information field
The development of digital technologies has accelerated the exchange of information. In the past, mass media such as newspapers, radio or television were necessary to convey a particular message to a wide audience. Today, anyone with a smartphone and the Internet can spread information to thousands or even millions of people in a matter of seconds. This is a great opportunity for democratic dialogue, civic engagement and free exchange of information. However, at the same time, it also creates conditions for the mass distribution of uncontrolled, unverified and harmful content.
One of the main threats in the information field today is fake news. Fake news is information that is not true, spread intentionally or unintentionally. Sometimes such a message is completely fabricated. In some cases, a certain part of the real story is taken and given a wrong meaning. In this way, the message appears credible on the surface, but its content serves to mislead the audience.
Another threat in the information field is manipulation. In manipulation, the information may not be completely false. But the facts are deliberately chosen, certain information is hidden, the story is interpreted one-sidedly. As a result, a certain conclusion is forced upon the audience. For example, only negative information may be given about a certain event, and positive or alternative points of view may not be mentioned. Or, statistical numbers are taken out of context and used to make the situation look worse or worse than it actually is. This approach is more complicated than falsifying information, because it contains real facts.
In addition, cyber fraud, phishing, identity theft, fake websites, fake investment projects, and phone scams are also current information security issues. Criminals often take advantage of a user's gullibility, haste, or lack of digital knowledge. Therefore, the threat to information security does not come only from the technical device. In many cases, the weakest link is the person himself.
What is media literacy?
Media literacy is a person's ability to find, understand, analyze, evaluate, create and responsibly distribute information distributed through mass media and digital platforms.
This does not mean only knowing how to read a newspaper or use the Internet, it also requires understanding by whom, for what purpose, through what means and for whom the information is prepared. A media literate person pays attention to the content of the message as well as its form. How fair is the title? Does the photo belong to the event? Who is the author? Is the source specified? Have other credible outlets reported this story? To what extent is fact and personal opinion separated in the text? Questions like these will help you evaluate the information correctly.
Media literacy is based on critical thinking. Critical thinking does not mean denying every piece of information or being skeptical of everything. It is the ability to examine evidence, compare different points of view, see logical connections, and draw independent conclusions. A media-literate person evaluates information based on facts, not emotions. He does not accept pleasant thoughts as truth and unpleasant information as lies.On the contrary, he is ready to learn information that does not correspond to his views.
Information security of youth and children
Young people are the most active users of digital technologies. They spend a lot of time on social networks, video platforms and messengers. This environment strongly influences their outlook, values, language culture and behavior.
Children and teenagers do not always know the difference between advertising, entertainment content, blogger opinion and factual information. Some bloggers may promote a product or service by listing it as a personal recommendation. And the young audience accepts such hidden advertising as a genuine idea. Also, content that trivializes violence, promotes risky behavior, degrades human dignity, or creates a false sense of achievement can also have a negative impact on children's psyche.
The task of parents is not to completely disconnect the child from the Internet. Such an approach does not work in modern conditions. On the contrary, it is necessary to teach the child to choose information correctly, to understand dangerous content, not to disclose personal information, and to communicate carefully with strangers.
In schools, it is desirable to integrate media literacy into different subjects, not within the framework of separate subjects. For example, you can compare sources in a history lesson, analyze manipulative expressions in a text in a native language lesson, and teach personal information security in a computer science lesson.
accuracy and reliability are paramount
Professional journalism is an important institution in ensuring information security. The task of a journalist is not only to report an event, but also to investigate it, compare sources, study the position of different parties and provide unbiased information to the public.
While immediacy has become a key advantage in social media, accuracy and credibility must be paramount for journalism. It is in the public interest to release correct and corroborated information a little later than to release false information first. It is necessary to strengthen the practice of fact-checking in editorial offices, to develop internal rules on the use of artificial intelligence, and to regularly improve the digital skills of employees.
A journalist should not accept the information received from the source readily, but should evaluate its interests and level of reliability. Anonymous sources, unverified social media posts, and high-profile news stories require special caution. Professional mass media contribute to information stability by forming a reliable information space in society, rejecting fakes and explaining complex processes to the population in a simple and impartial manner.
shared responsibility
Developing media literacy should not be limited to a one-time training session or a short information campaign. It is necessary to be a long-term, systematic process that covers all layers of the population.
It is important to teach critical thinking, digital ethics, fact-checking and information security skills in schools and higher education institutions. Teachers themselves should understand the modern information environment and provide students with knowledge based on practical examples.
Libraries can also become media literacy centers. A modern librarian should not only be a specialist in finding books, but also a consultant who recommends reliable sources of information and helps the user evaluate information.
The neighborhood, non-governmental organizations, mass media and active bloggers can also contribute to the formation of media literacy culture among the population. Simple language guides, short videos and explanatory materials based on real-life examples are especially effective.
Information security is one of the main conditions necessary for the sustainable development of modern society. It is not limited to protecting computer systems, servers or confidential information. Information security also encompasses the protection of human consciousness, public trust, social harmony and national interests.
Media literacy is the most important part of this security related to the human factor. Because only technical means are not enough in the fight against fake, manipulation and information fraud. A person should have the ability to independently analyze information, check the source, distinguish between fact and opinion, and distribute information responsibly.
In the digital age, every citizen is not only a consumer of information, but also its distributor. A message shared without verification can confuse many people. One careful inspection can prevent a major problem. Therefore, information security is not the sole responsibility of government agencies, law enforcement agencies, or information technology specialists. It is the shared responsibility of the family, schools, higher education, journalism, community organizations, and every citizen.
Beruni ALIMOV,
Director of the Scientific Research Institute of Media and Communications of UzDJTU,
doctor of philological sciences,
professor.