MEDIA AND INFORMATION LITERACY

Module 7

LESSON I: LEGAL, ETHICAL, AND SOCIETAL ISSUES

IN MEDIA AND INFORMATION
 FOREWORD

If the state seeks to regulate the media it will interfere with the independence of journalists and their
ability to cover events in the way they deem best. But the media are social actors who can exert great power
in society so, in order to protect their freedom from regulation and control, it is usually believed that journalists
need to regulate themselves by adopting codes of ethical conduct or setting out professional guidelines on
how stories or events should be covered. This module aims to discuss the ethics in media.

USER’S GUIDE

This module requires your time and utmost attention. In this case, you need to set aside other
tasks that is not related to this module and try to find a place that is free from distractions so that you
can focus on the lessons. Always remember to do the following:
1. Read carefully the contents and follow the directions in provided in this module.
2. Perform all the activities/exercises provided in this module.
3. Answer the pre-test and post-test in this module.
4. Always check the rubric/criteria for grading on how you will be evaluated before you respond
to each activities/exercises.
5. Do not forget to smile and enjoy studying! Go beyond what is given here. Explore the internet!
Although this module might be challenging, this is an opportunity to learn. Keep an open mind
and an open heart! Happy Learning!

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Table of Contents
Foreword ....................................................................................................................................... 1
User Guide ....................................................................................................................................1
Table of Contents................................................................................................................................2
Pre Test............................................................................................................................................. 3
Module Content.................................................................................................................................. 4
Activity: Let’s Warm Up!.......................................................................................................................5
Analysis: Let’s Analyze!....................................................................................................................... 5
Abstraction: Let’s Discuss and Learn!................................................................................................... 6
Application: Let’s Practice!................................................................................................................ 6-7
Post Test.........................................................................................................................................8-9
References....................................................................................................................................... 10
Activity Sheets.................................................................................................................................. 11

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 PRE TEST

Directions: Identify what issue in media and information literacy is being describe by the following
situations. Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. Jonathan is sending out hateful tweets via what seems to be a Twitter account he has set up to
impersonate someone else.
A. Bullying C. Cybercrime
B. Cyberbullying D. Infringement
2. This issue in media and information literacy pertains to copying of other’s work without giving credit to
the author or source?
A. Plagiarism C. Digital Divide
B. Copyright Infringement D. Theft
3. A girl had her picture taken which made her feel uncomfortable. Later that week her friends tell her that
the picture has been posted on another student’s blog.
A. Bullying C. Cybercrime
B. Cyberbullying D. Infringement
4. What issue in media and information literacy pertains to when someone is tormented, threatened,
harassed, humiliated, or embarrassed using the internet platform?
A. Bullying C. Cybercrime
B. Cyberbullying D. Infringement
5. A freelance writer is assigned a topic similar to a post on his own blog. He rewords the article a bit so as
not to create duplicate content, then submits it to the client
A. Plagiarism C. Digital Divide
B. Copyright Infringement D. Theft
6. Abraham Abdallah duped several credit score companies into providing them with information, and then
used the identities of some of America’s richest including Warren Buffet and Steven Spielberg to steal
millions of dollars.
A. Plagiarism C. Digital Divide
B. Copyright Infringement D. Theft
7. An instructor wants to make a photocopy of a journal article to distribute to each student in the class.
A. Plagiarism C. Digital Divide
B. Copyright Infringement D. Theft

8 Phillip Cummings, a help desk worker at a software firm, took a spreadsheet of logins and passwords
when he quit, granting him access to a number of credit reports
A. Plagiarism C. Digital Divide
B. Copyright Infringement D. Theft
9. A photographer wants to capture an image from the Internet and place it on her own web page.
A. Plagiarism C. Digital Divide
B. Copyright Infringement D. Theft
10. A student has a book report due but hasn’t read the book. He visits a book review website and copies
directly from several of the reviews to create “his” report.
A. Plagiarism C. Digital Divide
B. Copyright Infringement D. Theft

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ACTIVITY (Let’s Warm Up!)

Directions: Anallyze the picture below

ANALYSIS (Let’s Analyze!)

Directions: Based on the ppicture above, answer the following questions below.

1. What issues do you see in the poster??

.__________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. What possible dangers and issues of unguarded use of the internet are depicted in the picture?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

3. Which of these issues have happened to you or to your friends? Why did they happen?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

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ABSTRACTION (Let’s Discuss and Learn!)

Please watch the videos below for you to have an introduction with our topic for today.

[Link]

[Link]

 COPYRIGHT: a legal device that gives the creator of a literary, artistic, musical, or
other creative work the sole right to publish and sell that work. Copyright owners have
the right to control the reproduction of their work, including the right to receive payment
for that reproduction. An author may grant or sell those rights to others, including
publishers or recording companies. Violation of a copyright is called infringement.
 PLAGIARISM: an act or instance of using or closely imitation the language and
thoughts of another author without authorization; the representation of that author’s
work as one’s own, as by not crediting the original author.
 CYBER BULLYING: bullying that takes place online, or using electronic technology
such as cell phones, computers, and tablets over communication tools including social
media sites, text messages, chat, and websites. Examples of cyber bullying; text
messages or emails composed to insult or demean; rumors or false statements spread
by email or posted on social networking sites; and humiliating photos, videos, websites,
or fake profiles deliberately shared across social media.
 COMPUTER ADDICTION: the excessive use of computers to the extent that it
interferes with daily life. This excessive use may for example interfere with work or
sleep, result in problems with social interaction, or, affect mood, relationship, and
thought processes.
 DIGITAL DIVIDE: an economic inequality between groups in terms of access to, use
of, or knowledge of ICT. The divide within countries (such as the digital divide in the
United States) can refer to inequalities between individuals, households, businesses,
and geographic areas at different socioeconomic (and other demographic) levels. The
Global digital divide designates countries as the units of analysis, and examines the
divide between developing and developed countries on an international scale.

APPLICATION
Directions: Read the artcile below and answer the following questions.

“UP student plagiarizes prize-winning photos”

[Link]
“UP grad in photo plagiarism gets redemption”
[Link]

After reading, answer the following questions:

A. First article: “UP student plagiarizes prize-winning photos”

1. In what competition did Solis send in his plagiarized work?

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 ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. What sanctions did he receive from the organizing committee? Describe his actions.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

3. Do you think technology and the internet have made plagiarism easier? Do you think technology
has made people more or less creative? Explain your answer by citing examples.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

B. Second article: “UP grad in photo plagiarism gets redemption”

1. According to the article, how did Solis redeem himself? What job did he have?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. What project did he help?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

3. What is there to learn about the life of Solis?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

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 POST TEST

Directions: Directions: Read the artcile below and answer the following questions.

A. Robert Blair Carabuena and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Aide Fabros: “Carabuena:
[Link]

You may also watch the news report at [Link]

1. What did Carabuena do that made netizens angry??

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. Describe the acts of cyber bullying that the netizens did to Carabuena. Do you think their actions
are justifiable? Defend your answer..
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

3. Give one suggestion to avoid cyber bullying. Give one suggestion to avoid being a cyber bully.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

B. “Four in ten teenage girls 'are addicted to internet: Youngsters increasingly showing signs of compulsion
with their tablets and smart phones” [Link]
[Link]

1. Cite one real life example in your school or community of teenagers who have experienced
computer addiction. What happen them? Have they recovered from their addiction?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

2. From the research, do boys and girls share the same Internet usage? Explain your answer. Cite
statistics or data.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

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 ACTIVITY SHEETS

Directions: Your task is to compose a short rap that promotes anti-plagiarism with the following mechanics:
1. • The message encourages the youth to fight plagiarism of works, such as photography, artistic
visual designs, academic works, and others. The message should also inspire youth to create their
own original work.
• The melody may be adapted from a local or foreign music, but the lyrics must be original.
• The rap may last for 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
2. Record your rap using a recording device (either from school or from your cellular phone) and
present it to the class.

RUBRICS

Criteria 4 3 2 1

Uses vocabulary Uses vocabulary

Uses vocabulary appropriate Uses several (5 or
appropriate for the appropriate for the
for the audience. Extends more) words or
audience. Includes 1-2 audience. Does not
Vocabulary audience vocabulary by phrases that are not
words that might be new to include any vocabulary
defining words that might be understood by the
most of th audience, but that might be new to the
new to most of the audience. audience.
does not define them. audience.

Shows a full understanding of Shows a good Shows a good

the topic. Includes understanding of the topic. understanding of parts of Does not seem to
explanations of all the required Includes explanations of the topic. Includes understand the topic
Content
elements most of the required explanations of some of very well.
elements.. the required elements.
Facial expressions and Facial expressions and Very little use of facial
Facial expressions and body body language sometimes body language are used expressions or body
language generate a strong generate a strong interest to try to generate language. Did not
Enthusiasm interest and enthusiasm about and enthusiasm about the enthusiasm, but seem generate much
and Pitch the topic in others. Pitch was topic in others. Pitch was somewhat faked. Pitch interest in topic being
often used and it conveyed often used but the emotion was rarely used OR the presented. Pitch was
emotions appropriately. it conveyed sometimes did emotion it conveyed often not used to convey
not fit the content. did not fit the content. emotion.
Speaks clearly and
Speaks clearly and Often mumbles or can
Speaks clearly and distinctly distinctly most ( 94-85%)
Speaks distinctly all (100-95%) the not be understood OR
all (100-95%) the time, and of the time.
Clearly time, but mispronounces mispronounces more
mispronounces no words Mispronounces no more
one word. than one word.
than one word.

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