Media literacy, hostile media perceptions, and biased processing of partisan news

What is it about?

In this study, we examine whether a short media literacy PSA appearing before a political talk show can hinder biased processing. We find that for an unbiased news program, the PSA does reduce hostile media perceptions and improve credibility among conservatives, but exacerbates gaps in perceptions of congruently and incongruently biased programs. Meanwhile, the PSA has no impact among liberals. We suggest the effects of media literacy messages depend on individual and contextual differences.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Media literacy education often occurs in the classroom, limiting its effects to a small group of people and divorcing its lessons from everyday media consumption. Our study suggests that short media literacy messages can be effective outside the classroom, but more research is needed to examine which types of messages will be effective, among which audiences, and in which contexts.