Development of Students’ Psychological Media Competence in the Process of Analyzing News Content

Abstract

Young people are active users of social media and instant information and news exchange platforms. However, youth do not tend to verify the information they receive. This inability to critically approach information makes it absolutely necessary to equip curricula with educational programs aimed at developing media competence and skills of psychological analysis of content. The article presents the results of testing an experimental program within university environment. The program involves 1) increasing students' knowledge about the nature and means of manipulative influence, 2) developing skills of psychological analysis of media texts. Developing psychological media competence (PMC) is likely to become an effective strategy of processing media information and contribute to a more responsible approach when interacting with it. The study was conducted with the assumption that the developed program would enhance students’ ability to critically evaluate and verify news content. The survey was carried out according to the methodology compiled by the authors, which allows to measure degree of students’ trust in media information. The study involved 115 respondents. The results revealed that students perceive news content without applying critical thinking. Based on the analysis of the obtained data it was substantiated that the experimental program aimed at developing students’ psychological media competence, in particular, their skills of analyzing news media texts, is relevant and proved to be effective.