Media Literacy and Digital Communication

🟢 Lite — Quick Review (1h–1d)

Rapid summary for last-minute revision before your exam.

Media Literacy and Digital Communication — Key Facts for Sri Lanka A/L Examination

Key Media Literacy Concepts:

• Media bias: How perspectives are shaped and potentially slanted
• Target audience: Who the media content is designed to reach
• Media framing: How issues are presented to influence perception
• Credibility: Distinguishing reliable from unreliable sources
• Digital footprint: The information trail left online

Core Question to Ask of Any Media:

1. Who created this content and why?
2. What is the intended audience?
3. What perspective or bias is represented?
4. What information is included and excluded?
5. Is this source credible and why?

⚡ A/L Exam Tip: In Sri Lanka, social media is a major information source. Be especially critical of unverified claims and sensational content!

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🟡 Standard — Regular Study (2d–2mo)

Standard content for students with a few days to months.

Media Literacy and Digital Communication — Detailed Study Guide

Types of Media

Traditional Media:

Medium	Characteristics	Sri Lankan Examples
Print newspapers	Daily, weekly publications	Daily News, Sunday Times, Divaina
Television	Audiovisual broadcast	Rupavahini, ITN, Hiru TV, Swarnavahini
Radio	Audio broadcast	Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation
Magazines	Periodic publications	Lanka Monthly, Ceylon Today

Digital Media:

Medium	Characteristics	Sri Lankan Examples
News websites	Online news portals	Newsfirst, Colombo Page
Social media	User-generated content platforms	Facebook, Twitter/X, YouTube
Blogs	Personal or professional websites	Groundviews, Lanka Business Report
Podcasts	Audio on demand	Lankan podcasters
Online forums	Discussion platforms	Lanka Forums

Sri Lankan Media Landscape:

• State-owned media: Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation, Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited (Lake House)
• Private media: Independent Television, Hiru TV, Capital TV
• Tamil media: Udayam, Tamil Mirror, Tamil Sun
• Sinhala media: Hiru FM, Shakthi FM, Yes Television

Media Bias and Perspective

Types of Media Bias:

Type	Description	Example
Political bias	Favours particular political ideology	Always praising one political party
Commercial bias	Driven by advertiser interests	Soft coverage of companies that advertise
Sensationalism	Exaggerating for attention	”SHOCKING!” headlines
Agenda-setting	Deciding what issues are important	Repeating one story continuously
Framing	Presenting issue in particular way	”Terrorists” vs. “Militants” vs. “Activists”
Omission	Leaving out important information	Reporting one side only

How to Detect Bias:

1. Compare coverage across multiple outlets
2. Notice emotional language and loaded terms
3. Identify what’s missing as well as what’s there
4. Consider who owns the media outlet
5. Look for balanced presentation of perspectives

Sri Lankan Context:

• Post-conflict media still navigating sensitive topics
• Political connections of media owners
• State media vs. private media dynamics
• Language divides (Sinhala, Tamil, English media)

Digital Communication Platforms

Major Platforms and Their Use:

Facebook:

• Most popular platform in Sri Lanka
• News sharing and discussion
• Community groups
• Political engagement

YouTube:

• Educational content
• Entertainment
• Sri Lankan channels: Sri Lankan TV shows, Lankan cooking, LK

WhatsApp:

• Private messaging
• Group chats
• News and information sharing (often unverified)
• Misinformation spread risk

Twitter/X:

• Real-time news
• Political commentary
• Journalists and public figures active

Instagram:

• Visual storytelling
• Influencer culture
• Youth engagement

LinkedIn:

• Professional networking
• Career development
• Less prevalent in Sri Lanka than in Western countries

Digital Communication Best Practices:

1. Maintain professional online presence
2. Think before posting — permanence of digital content
3. Respect privacy of others
4. Verify before sharing
5. Engage respectfully in online discussions
6. Balance online and offline activities

Online Safety and Digital Citizenship

Digital Footprint:

• Every online action creates data
• Future employers may search candidates
• Posts can affect university applications
• Consider long-term implications

Protecting Personal Information:

Information to Protect	Why	How
Full date of birth	Identity theft	Share partially or not at all
Home address	Physical safety	Use general area only
Phone number	Harassment risk	Privacy settings
Financial info	Fraud risk	Never share online

Password Security:

• Use unique passwords for each account
• Include uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols
• Minimum 12 characters
• Use password manager
• Enable two-factor authentication
• Never share passwords

Recognising Online Scams:

• Requests for personal information
• Urgency (“Act now!”)
• Too-good-to-be-true offers
• Suspicious links
• Unverified sender
• Grammar and spelling errors

Cyberbullying and Online Harassment:

• Block and report harassers
• Save evidence
• Talk to trusted adult
• Don’t engage with bullies
• Sri Lanka’s ICTA handles cyber complaints

Digital Citizenship Principles:

1. Respect yourself and others online
2. Protect your privacy and reputation
3. Practise ethical behaviour
4. Balance online and offline life
5. Think critically about information

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🔴 Extended — Deep Study (3mo+)

Comprehensive coverage for students on a longer study timeline.

Media Literacy and Digital Communication — Complete Notes for A/L Sri Lanka

Critical Analysis of News Media

Framework for Analysing News Stories:

Source Evaluation:

1. Who reported this story?
2. What are the reporter’s credentials?
3. What is the outlet’s reputation?
4. Is this a wire story (from agency)?
5. Has the information been independently verified?

Content Analysis:

1. What is the headline’s tone? Sensational? Neutral? Understated?
2. What is the lead paragraph’s focus? What angle is taken?
3. Whose perspective is centred? Who is quoted?
4. What details are included? What is omitted?
5. Are there unverified claims presented as facts?
6. Is context provided or is story isolated?

Photo/Visual Analysis:

1. What does the image show? What is cropped out?
2. What emotion does it evoke?
3. Does caption accurately describe image?
4. Is the image staged or authentic?
5. Is the image being used appropriately?

Sri Lankan News Verification Resources:

• FactCheck Sri Lanka (factcheck.lk)
• Sri Lanka Press Institute
• Groundviews (groundviews.org)
• Colombo Telegraph
• The Centre for Investigative Reporting (CINEC)

Social Media as Information Source

The Challenge of Social Media Information:

• Anyone can publish
• Algorithms prioritising engagement over accuracy
• Viral content spreads faster than corrections
• Filter bubbles and echo chambers
• Myanmar and Sri Lanka: social media’s role in conflict

Sri Lanka-Specific Concerns:

• Misinformation during elections: Viral false claims
• Communal content: Inciting religious/racial tensions
• Post-war narratives: Sensitive political content
• Celebrity gossip presented as news: Tabloid culture

Evaluating Social Media Posts:

1. Check the profile — is it a real person or bot?
2. Look at the account’s history and followers
3. Cross-reference claims with established news
4. Check fact-checking sites
5. Notice the date — old stories resurface
6. Consider what the post wants you to think/do

Lateral Reading:

• Don’t just read the claim — check who posted it
• Open a new tab and search for verification
• Check if established fact-checkers have addressed it
• Look for the original source of images/videos

Digital Communication in Academic and Professional Contexts

Email Etiquette:

Do	Don’t
Use clear subject line	Leave subject blank
Address recipient formally	Start with “Hey” or “Dear Sir/Mam”
Be concise	Write paragraphs longer than 5 lines
Use professional tone	Use emojis or slang
Proofread before sending	Send without checking
Include signature	Forget to sign your name
Use CC and BCC appropriately	Reply all unnecessarily

Professional Email Example:

Subject: Request for Extension — Business Studies Coursework

Dear Ms. Fernando,

I am writing to request an extension for my Business Studies 
coursework assignment, originally due on 15th April 2024.

I have experienced medical circumstances (doctor's certificate 
attached) that have affected my ability to complete the work 
to the standard I would want.

I would be grateful if an extension of one week, until 22nd 
April 2024, could be granted.

Thank you for your consideration.

Yours sincerely,
[Sername]
[Registration Number]
[Class/Group]

Online Professional Presence:

• LinkedIn profile for career preparation
• Professional email for all communications
• Clean social media or appropriate privacy settings
• Consider what future employers will see

Video Conferencing Best Practices:

• Test technology before important calls
• Dress professionally (at least from waist up!)
• Mute when not speaking
• Look at the camera, not the screen
• Use professional background
• Be on time

Information Literacy in the Digital Age

The Information Landscape:

Information Type	Example	Reliability
Peer-reviewed research	Academic journal articles	High
Government statistics	Census data, economic reports	Generally high
News from established outlets	Reuters, BBC, AFP	High
Think tank publications	Brookings, IPS	Moderate-High
Advocacy group publications	Lobby group reports	Varies, check bias
Corporate information	Company press releases	Promotional
Social media posts	Individual tweets	Low unless verified
Unverified claims	WhatsApp forward	Very low

SIFT Method for Quick Verification:

1. Stop: Pause before sharing or acting on information
2. Investigate the source: Who is behind this information?
3. Find better coverage: Search for established news
4. Trace claims: Find the original source for data/claims

Google Verification Tools:

• Google Images: Reverse image search to check photo origins
• Google Scholar: Academic sources for claims
• Google Fact Check: Check viral claims
• Search by date: “freedom on the web” or date filters

Evaluating Academic Sources Online:

• Use university library databases
• Check for peer review indication
• Look for author credentials
• Check publication date
• Note journal impact factor

Digital Ethics and Online Rights

Sri Lanka’s Digital Legal Framework:

ICT Act No. 27 of 2007:

• Covers cyber crimes
• Unauthorised access to computer systems
• Hacking provisions
• Electronic transactions

Right to Information Act (RTI):

• Citizens can request government information
• Public authorities must respond within timeframe
• Important tool for accountability journalism

Defamation:

• Both criminal and civil defamation exist
• Journalists and citizens can face charges
• International organisations have raised concerns

Online Expression:

• International covenant on civil and political rights
• Article 19 protection for freedom of expression
• Sri Lankan law permits restrictions for national security, etc.

Ethical Digital Citizenship:

1. Respect copyright: Don’t copy without permission/attribution
2. Attribute properly: Cite sources
3. Protect others’ privacy: Don’t share others’ information
4. Engage respectfully: Disagree without personal attacks
5. Think critically: Question information

Responsible Social Media Use:

• Don’t spread unverified information
• Don’t engage with provocative content designed to divide
• Don’t share content that could incite violence
• Don’t bully or harass online
• Think about long-term consequences of posts

Media and Society in Sri Lanka

The Role of Media in Democracy:

• Fourth estate: Media as watchdog on government
• Public sphere for debate and discussion
• Information source for citizen decision-making
• Accountability mechanism for power

Challenges to Media Freedom in Sri Lanka:

• Concerns about state media independence
• Journalists facing harassment
• Media owners’ political connections
• Legal threats against media
• Self-censorship pressures

Media Consolidation:

• Lake House group (state-affiliated): Daily News, Sunday Times, Silumina, etc.
• Wijeya Group: Daily Mirror, Sunday Observer
• Sumathi Group: Various regional publications
• Online-only outlets: Increasing in number

Social Media and Sri Lankan Politics:

• Politicians’ use of Facebook and Twitter
• Social media campaigns
• Youth voter engagement through digital
• Spread of political misinformation

Media Literacy Education in Sri Lanka:

• Not systematically taught at school level
• Need for critical media consumption skills
• University communication/media programs
• Ongoing discussions about media literacy curriculum

Emerging Digital Trends in Sri Lanka:

• Increasing internet penetration
• Mobile-first internet access
• Growth of local content creation
• Digital payment adoption
• Government digital services (Lanka Government Cloud)

⚡ A/L Exam Tip: Questions may ask you to evaluate a media text, identify bias, or discuss responsible social media use. Connect your answer to Sri Lankan context where possible!

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