Media Literacy

Recognizing straight news versus commentary How labels, layout, and tone signal opinion Blending news and opinion in modern media Why the distinction matters for democracy

How word choice shapes perception Headlines, thumbnails, and emotional hooks What gets included or left out of a story Images, music, and visual framing in video

Who owns major media outlets and why it matters Business models: ads, subscriptions, and clicks Conflicts of interest and sponsored content Using multiple sources to cross-check a story