Media Literacy and Hate Speech in Media

Practice: Students are divided into groups. An i-book prepared about the meaning and basic principles of media literacy is shared. Groups open the i-book on their iPads. First, the reliability of the information in the media is discussed and evaluated. Then, stereotypes in the media are discussed and examples are given. Groups are shown examples from sample commercials, movies, and printed materials such as magazines and newspapers that illustrate stereotypes in the media. Groups are asked to find the stereotypes in the examples shown to them. These stereotypes include sexist, racist and discriminatory discourse. Groups that notice such stereotypes are asked to produce an alternative discourse to defy these biases. The groups attempt to transform the materials they have into an alternative discourse, which is non-sexist, non-racist, egalitarian and libertarian, respecting human rights. The alternative discourse criteria created by the Hrant Dink Foundation are used as a basis. At the end of the activity, each group designs a slogan and poster to raise public awareness against sexist and racist discourse in the media. Group posters and slogans are evaluated and shared in the classroom.