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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Commun.
Sec. Visual Communication
Volume 9 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fcomm.2024.1490798

Visual Media Literacy: Educational Strategies to Combat Image and Video Disinformation on Social Media

Provisionally accepted
Abd Allah S. Aljalabneh Abd Allah S. Aljalabneh 1,2*
  • 1 Zarqa University, Zarqa, Jordan
  • 2 Faculty of Mass Communication, Zarqa University, Zarqa, Zarqa, Jordan

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    The proliferation of misinformation on social media, particularly through manipulated visual content, poses significant challenges. This study explores the role of visual media literacy in addressing these challenges, focusing on its application in educational settings in Jordan. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research integrates semi-structured interviews with 18 university media literacy educators and a quantitative case study analyzing rumor dissemination from January to August 2024. The aim is to develop strategies that enhance critical evaluation skills among students, equipping them to navigate and discern the vast array of visual information encountered online. The findings reveal that educators utilize specific strategies, such as employing reverse image searches and crossreferencing with reputable sources, to ensure students grasp the importance of verifying the authenticity of visual content. Educators also emphasize the need to contextualize visual media by analyzing the creator's background and motivations, thereby uncovering potential biases and promoting a more nuanced understanding of visual messages. Moreover, the study highlights the critical role of the Picture Superiority Effect (PSE) in visual media literacy, illustrating how images are more likely to influence memory and perception than text. The case study provides empirical evidence of the pervasiveness of misinformation, with 481 rumors recorded over eight months, 85.5% of which were disseminated via social media platforms and 58% related to political and security issues. Educators address these challenges by teaching students to critically engage with images and videos, recognizing the power of visuals to shape opinions. The findings of this research are crucial for educators and policymakers, aiding in the creation of a more informed and resilient society better equipped to counter disinformation.

    Keywords: disinformation, Media literacy education, misinformation, Social Media, visual media literacy, Picture superiority effect

    Received: 03 Sep 2024; Accepted: 28 Oct 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Aljalabneh. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Abd Allah S. Aljalabneh, Zarqa University, Zarqa, Jordan

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.