COLUMBUS, Ind. – IU Columbus students Jimena Leal, Ally Parker, Mary-Kate Nolley, Alexander Ridge, Sydney Owens, and Shelby Vannetta have won an award for their video, “Navigating Media Disinformation: The Pursuit of Critical Thinking and Responsible Communication.”
The 3.5-minute video contains vignettes about disinformation students will likely encounter: health misinformation masquerading as a news article, a deep fake video, and a poster that uses propaganda to play on emotion and promote an agenda. The students challenge one another to fact-check the information they encounter.
The project was also an assignment for their COMM-C 316 Human Communication and the Internet class. In an essay accompanying their video submission, the group concluded: “We hope this presentation sparks reflection and a deeper appreciation for the vital role of media literacy in navigating the complexities of our interconnected world. Media literacy can guide us toward a future where truth prevails over deception.”
Much of the video was created using resources in the recently introduced Media Launchpad production studio on the IU Columbus campus.
“I want my students to feel empowered to put their voices out there,” Pamela Morris, Ph.D, IU Columbus Associate Professor of Communication Studies said. She emphasized that the project was all student-driven.
To see the award-winning video, visit here.