News Literacy Initiative

Reliable Journalism • Democracy • Critical Thinking

Why News Literacy Matters

Many of us are choosing to avoid the news to avoid being bombarded and overwhelmed, but it is vital to the health of democracy to remain informed and civically engaged.

Becoming news literate empowers us with the knowledge and tools to cultivate a healthy relationship with news so that we can shape our society through our choices and voices as informed individuals.

Listen To Our Podcast

If you find yourself avoiding the news, you’re not alone. But what’s turning you off is likely not the news itself—it’s the noise surrounding it. Our podcast News Over Noise explores the challenge of separating spin and click-bait from good journalism and why it matters. Listen and become empowered to stay well and well informed.

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Peter Adams from the News Literacy Project spoke about election "prebunking" at Penn State's Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications.

November 01, 2024

News Literacy Project speaker tells Penn State students to "prebunk" the election

October 30, 2024

Recordings of U.S. Media Literacy Week seminars now available

Matt Jordan interviewed by CBC News about Hurricane Milton misinformation.

October 18, 2024

CBC News Network's Marianne Dimain speaks with misformation expert Matthew Jordan

Professor and Director of the Penn State News Literacy Initiative, Matt Jordan stands at the front of a classroom of K12 educators before a projector screen with a slide that reads "Elements of Media Literacy."

October 11, 2024

WPSU Education Ambassadors Participate in Media Literacy Intensive

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