Unit 5: Media and Information Sources
Table of Contents
Introduction 2
Learning Targets 2
Lesson 1: Sources of Media and Information 3
Jump Start 3
Learn about It! 3
Check Your Understanding 7
Explore and Create! 8
Lesson 2: Gathering Indigenous Media and Information 9
Jump Start 9
Learn about It! 9
Check Your Understanding 12
Explore and Create! 13
Let’s Create! 14
Self-Check 16
Wrap Up 16
Bibliography 17
Glossary 18
GRADE 11/12 | Media and Information Literacy
UNIT 5
Media and Information Sources
More people use the internet to search for news than read a newspaper or wait for the evening news program. Despite getting fast results from the internet, it also posts a problem on the accuracy, reliability, and validity of gathered information. Sometimes, it is much better to consult someone from a community to gain first-hand information. In this unit, we will learn how to examine information from different sources.
Learning Targets
In this unit, you should be able to:
● Compare potential sources of media and information;
● Interview an elder from the community regarding indigenous media and information.
Lesson 1: Sources of Media and Information
Different sources of media and information include newspapers, magazines, social media, television programs, and the internet. Each type delivers information differently. One must evaluate information from various sources based on its reliability, accuracy, value, authority, and timeliness.
Jump Start
Besides newspapers and news programs, you can also look for information through the
internet. With a partner, identify three websites or social media pages that you are subscribed to for news. Discuss why you chose them.
Learn about It!
Information refers to facts and figures acquired from learning, research, or communication.
Information sources refer to people, groups, and records from which data is gathered. An informant is someone who provides details about his/her language, values, beliefs, or culture to a researcher.
One of the many places to look for sources of media and information is the library. A library is where collections of books, periodicals, and other resources are organized through a classification system. A librarian is a professional who manages the library. He/she also organizes and evaluates books and other resources stored there. Libraries are classified into four groups– academic, public, school, and special. These classifications are based on their purpose, location, and type of resources offered.
Fig. 2. Inside the library are collection of books and other resources
First, an academic library supports the curriculum for universities and other educational institutions. It is also a research arm for scholarly papers and related works. Rizal Library of Ateneo de Manila University, and Miguel de Benavides Library of University of Santo Tomas are some of the academic libraries in the Philippines.
Fig. 3. Miguel de Benavides Library of University of Santo Tomas, an academic library
Second, a public library is generally supported by taxes and the government. It is accessible to everyone, and its purpose is for the public interest. Likewise, basic library services here are offered for free. The National Library of the Philippines is a public library. It no longer requires a library card to serve more Filipinos in pursuit of learning.
Third, a school library caters to both students and educators. Teachers can find audio-visual materials suited for a specific grade level and subject area. Students are also provided with books and other resources appropriate for their age and level. Sometimes, teachers may conduct activities in the school library. Schools such as Manila Science High School, Arellano High School, and Araullo High School have school libraries for their students and teachers to use.
Fourth, a special library serves a specific group of people, usually based on a discipline.
Collections are focused on a specific area of interest. They are maintained by a certain business organization, professional association, or government agency. Types of special libraries include corporate libraries, law libraries, medical libraries, music libraries, and theological libraries. Some special libraries are accessible to all while others require a certain type of membership. The Cultural Center of the Philippines Library and Archives is a special library which houses a collection of manuscripts, artbooks, musical compositions, and memorabilia.
Fig. 4. Cultural Center of the Philippines Library and Archives, a special library
Now, libraries do not just house books. They also provide internet access to users. Internet refers to a global system that links computer networks under the same set of communication protocols. Some scholarly articles that are not available on print are already accessible online.
Without a doubt, it becomes a faster alternative for users to find a specific information than
browsing through printed books. However, it poses a challenge to identify which sources from
the internet are of quality.
To evaluate information sources, always remember the five criteria for evaluating resources.
The first criteria is authority. Identify the author of the content. Know his/her credentials. For scholarly works, check if he/she has other publications, experience in the industry or topic, professional affiliations, and educational background.
The second criteria is accuracy. For journals, make sure that it is peer-reviewed. This is when the information has been checked by other known researchers or organizations. Verify the names, dates, figures, and places mentioned. Additionally, check the grammar, format, and other writing mechanics.
The third criteria is objectivity. Assess if the author is biased or not through how he/she organized and justified his/her information.
The fourth criteria is currency. Look at the date when the material is published. In research writing, it is better to gather references that are at least six years old before the current year.
For news gathering, check if the news is a developing story. Avoid using “zombie sites” or a website that failed to update its contents as sources.
Last is coverage. Know the scope of the information presented. Compare the coverage from one source to the other. Some sources may cover a part of the topic. It is best to look for other sources until you find more sufficient information.
Fact-checking is confirming the accuracy of information made in a speech, research, news article, or editorial. Not everything you see online is worth sharing. Don’t be a victim, and think first before you post something in social media. Just remember AAOCC in evaluating sources- authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, and coverage.
Check Your Understanding
A. Recall / Comprehension.
Identify the type of library.
Library Type of Library
1. Cultural Center of the Philippines Library and Archives
2. Miguel de Benavides Library
3. Rizal Library, Ateneo de Manila University
4. National Library of the Philippines
5. Manila Science High School Library
B. Application.
1. Jerome is a high school student. He noticed that most of his classmates retweeted a tweet stating that classes are suspended tomorrow due to a typhoon. Still puzzled, he checked the profile of the one who posted the information. He noticed that it is a parody account of a certain politician. Should Jerome share the same information?
Why or why not?
2. Doreen is an ABM student. She was assigned by her teacher to write a concept paper about the change in consumer behavior of teenagers for the past three years. In the library, she saw books and journals published ten years ago. Should Doreen use them as references? Why or why not?
C. Synthesis, Analysis Questions.
1. Besides the five criteria for evaluating sources, what are other means to confirm if a source provides credible information?
2. How will you fact-check information from the internet?
Explore and Create!
Find a pair and look for three websites on the internet about one topical issue (environmental, economic, or social). Check if each website fits the five criteria for evaluating sources. Identify other ways to verify if the source is reliable.
Lesson 2: Gathering Indigenous Media and Information
Each community has unique ways on how they pass information to other members. Despite the presence of print, broadcast, and new media, there are areas that are not accessible by such. Hence, indigenous media is an alternative to gather information.
Jump Start
Form a small group. Select one region in the Philippines. Research on the products known in the region you selected. For example, Capiz in Western Visayas is known for windowpane oysters. Identify ways on how they can they sell their products to reach mass consumers.
Learn about It!
Indigenous is synonymous to words such as native or local. Indigenous knowledge refers to distinctive facts, information, and skills that originate in a community of people sharing the same beliefs, ideas, and cultures. This is passed down by word of mouth from one generation to another. Examples on how indigenous knowledge plays a major role in one’s culture are seen in folk dances, traditional medicine, and kuwentong bayan or folklore.
Fig. 6. Folk dances, traditional medicine, and kuwentong bayan or folklore
Indigenous media refers to the communicative tools and resources of the indigenous peoples. It is also known as community media. Oral interaction and face-to-face communication are some of the factors of indigenous media. Forms of indigenous media include folk or traditional media, gatherings and social organizations, direct observation, records (written, carved, or oral), and oral instruction. Information sharing is sometimes limited only to the members of the community.
Indigenous communication refers to the information exchange via local channels. It is a way of culture preservation and adaptation. Tracing back to Philippine history, the umalohokan are known as the town criers of an ancient barangay or a well-organized independent village.
They announce laws ordered by the datu or chieftain to reach the community. Today, news and stories typically reach the community through local meetings such as kapihan, balitaktakan, and kuwentong barbero. It is best to consult an adult to gain news and information in the community. He/she may be a media practitioner, a local journalist, a blogger, a social media manager, or a media specialist.
Kapihan refers to a place or a session where community members come together to share stories over a cup of coffee. Nowadays, a similar practice is done is when people go to coffee shops to meet and chat with their friends.
Balitaktakan refers to a discussion or debate where members are free to voice out their opinion about a certain topic. Members exchange ideas to come up with a feasible solution to a community problem.
Fig. 8. Kapihan, balitaktakan, and kuwentong barbero
