If you find the mainstream news depressing, you’re not alone. According to a survey, 38% of us now avoid news, up from 29% in 2017. a recent survey by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.
The News Literacy Network was established to address this problem. It teaches people how to interact with the news without becoming overwhelmed by negative feelings. The not-for profit organisation will help people learn the critical skills to understand the role of news and how it affects us. It will also help them identify other sources to gain a more accurate view of the world.
“The news plays such a powerful role in our lives, whether you’re a news addict or news avoidant: we’re all affected,”explained Jodie Jackson, founder of the News Literacy Network. “We want to give people the skills to be able to navigate the news in a way that leaves them reliably informed about the world and empowered to act on that information. I believe news literacy is an essential life skill and should be on the curriculum.”
As well as offering a free ‘Get News Lit’ digital course, the network is a comprehensive resource for educators and parents, connecting them to the kind of solutions-focused journalism that Positive News pioneered.
The News Literacy Network has also partnered up with three schools in south London in order to offer a six week pilot programme for sixth-form students. It teaches them news literacy.
The ultimate goal is to make it available to parents through a national news literacy programme that has been implemented in libraries across the country.
Main image: Roman Kraft
Help us continue breaking the bad news bias
Positive News is helping more people than ever to get a balanced view of the world – one that supports their wellbeing and empowers them to make a difference towards a better future. And as our audience and impact grows, we’re showing the rest of the media that good news matters.
But the UK’s cost of living crisis is affecting our income, with fewer people able to commit to a magazine subscription – which has traditionally been our main source of funding. Plus, printing and paper costs are on the rise.
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If you are a positive news supporter and value what we do, consider making a regular or one-off contribution. We need 1,000 readers to contribute just £3 per month to get us through this challenging time.
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