OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES AND

THREATS IN MEDIA AND

INFORMATION
Write A if the statement is true, and B if the statement
is false. Write your answer on your paper.

1. Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion.

2. An opinion is a self-report of feelings and personal

judgement
accompanied by responsibility of thought.
3. Libel can be committed in the form of writing.

4. Piracy has become more rampant.

5. Cybercrime law includes laws related to

computer crimes, internet crimes,
Information crimes, communications crimes
and technology crimes.
How well do you know?
Write Y if the statement conveys a positive attitude and
X if otherwise.

1. Maria uses the Internet as the major source of his

school research and other academic activities.

2. Mrs. Diaz, an English teacher does not allow her

students to go to the library to gather data and
information needed for the presentation.
3. Cora believes that development is always
accompanied by some risks and threats.

4. The school principal encourages the teachers to

use technology in the daily presentation of lessons.

5. Zenaida bought some pirated CDs and DVDs as

her gift to her father this Christmas.
 A Powerful Tool

Media and information literacy, an

essential component of the Senior High
School Curriculum, fosters equitable
access to information and knowledge,
which, in turn, open up opportunities. It is
a field that deals with the effects of
various mass media.
 A. Opportunities, Challenges, Threats
and Risks in Media and Information

UNESCO recognizes that the internet holds

enormous potential for development. It provides an
unprecedented volume of resources for information
and knowledge that opens up new opportunities
and challenges for expression and participation.
The principle of freedom of expression and human
rights must apply not only to traditional media but
also to the internet and all types of emerging media
platforms, which will contribute to development,
democracy and dialogue.
Digitalization and the accessibility of information
through a wide range of devices have enormously
increased the information resources available to
people. The internet provides numerous and diverse
opportunities towards attaining our goals and
objectives in life. It has positive effects in education
and in economic growth.
Opportunities

Online Shopping. Through online shopping and by

using a web browser, consumers can directly buy
goods over the internet. Consumers may visit the
website of the retailer directly or search alternative
vendors’ websites using a shopping search engine.
Citizen Journalism. It is the collection, dissemination
and analysis of news and information by the general
public, especially by means of internet.

Online Education. With internet connection, anyone

can earn a degree without having to attend face-to-
face class sessions.
 Challenges

Age-inappropriate content. With the unabated

spread of media, one has to be very careful
about access. There is a wealth of
information one can gain from the Internet,
but there is also content that is unfit for
children and young people like pornography
and violence.
Illegal content. The Internet has also been, and
continues to be, used by unscrupulous people
to further their illegal activities, like human
trafficking, the use of force, force, fraud, or
coercion to obtain a commercial sex act or
labor, and child pornography. Some groups also
use the internet to further the ideas of racism
and discrimination.
Privacy invasion and identity theft. Data posted on
the Internet may be accessed and used for illegal
activities. Personal information may be willing
shared as pictures or text on social media or
inadvertently given by users as part of such offerings
as games or surveys. It is important for users to be
aware of the risks before they decide to share their
personal data. A way to get sensitive personal
information is phishing.
Threats and Risks of Media and Information

It is stated in the Philippine Constitution that

each person has the right to freedom of opinion
and expression. This right includes freedom to
hold and express opinions without interference
and to seek, receive and impart information and
ideas through any media and regardless of
frontiers.
With this right, we can negotiate, chat, and
express our opinions and ideas, provided that
we show respect to persons whose opinions
differ from ours. Showing respect means
listening to others as they explain their
respective sides and trying to understand
their perspective and why.
Furthermore, this simply tells us that we
should never abuse and misuse our freedom
of speech. Always remember that an opinion
is a self-report of feelings or personal
judgement accompanied by responsibility of
thought.
These are some laws against the abuse and
misuse of media and information, which
violate the rights of others and threaten
them in some ways.
Libel / Slander
A person commits libel if he/she, with malice,
publishes a false statement that is damaging to another
person’s reputation, office, trade, business or means of
livelihood. n the Philippine constitution, libel is a
violation of Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code. As
stated in this article, libel can be committed in the form
of writing, printing, and other similar means. If the
hurtful statement is spoken, the statement is slander.
Piracy
Piracy refers to the unauthorized duplication of
copyrighted content that is then sold at substantially
lower prices in the black market. It is illegal under the
Cybercrime Law, which states that acquiring any
digital copy of any copyrighted material is punishable
by fine from Php 200,000 to Php 500,000 and six to
twenty years in prison. The Intellectual Property Code
and the Anti–Camcording Law were previously in place
to combat piracy in the country.
Cybercrime Law
The Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic
Act No. 10175) covers all other online anomalies
such as identity theft, child pornography, data
misuse, cybersquatting and other computer-related
and internet facilitated practices. This law became
controversial in 2012-2013 since it also criminalizes
libel in the online world, limiting certain exercises of
freedom of expression
B. Education, Economic, Social and
Political Aspects and Influences of
Media and Information Literacy
Media Innovation
What is innovation? It is the process of developing a
new method or process or product that better serves
existing uses or start to serve a previously
unidentified need. When we talk about media
innovation, it includes the change in several aspects
of the media landscape – from the development of
new media platforms to new business models, to
new ways of producing media texts changes in other
areas such as education, society, economy and
politics.
Influence of Media on Education

Some platforms can be employed to reinforce concepts and

spark discussions, such as short films, written articles, blog
postings, and other digital media. Teachers can use modern
technology, such as an interactive Smart Board, to deliver
the lessons and activities. However, a piece of chalk,
blackboard, Manila paper and other non-digital or non-
interactive interactive instruments like CDs and DVDs can
still be used to aid teachers in conducting lessons if the
resources are limited.
Various media can be used in the classrooms to
hone critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
For instance, a teacher can start and facilitate a
discussion on an opinion article in a blog, asking
students whether they agree on the position taken
by the author and why / why not. Indeed, media’s
power should be harnessed to educate people –
enlightening people’s minds and training people to
form opinions and find solutions to societal
problems.
Influence on Society
Media’s power appears unstoppable. Almost everyone
is exposed to countless media images, advertisements,
magazines, etc. With the advent of social media like
Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, Twitter, email and
the like, we are connected in ways that were not
possible before. The communication line is always
open. Because of these, necessary societal
interactions, camaraderie, and development of
friendships are facilitated.
Economic Influence
The new media has made it possible for any individual
to offer products and services online. The various
media platforms are a means to augment people’s
income. It is indeed true that the new media affect the
economic progress and stability of the country.
Innovation in media has likewise created new online
jobs opportunities such as tutorials in various
subjects, airline booking, art selling, product reviews
on YouTube, blogging, photography and other IT
related jobs.
Political Influence
With the wider internet reach in the Philippines
and the corresponding increase in Filipino social
media users, political individuals and parties and
government agencies have realized the
effectiveness and power of social media platforms
in terms of public communication.
Digital Diplomacy, also called E-diplomacy or Digi
diplomacy is a government’s use of social media
and information technology to communicate to the
public, especially foreign public. Foreign
ministries, embassies and other government
agencies have social media accounts especially on
Twitter and Facebook.
Spreading information through social media
enables to directly send messages quickly and
cost-effectively to the target audiences, without
convening a press conference or sending a press
release to news agencies. Because of this, people
now have greater participation on issues facing
the country and the world.
Using a separate sheet of paper, write an essay
focusing on one of the following topics: Choose one
topic only.

A. The Influence of Media on Violence

B. Effects of Media on Socio-Economic
Dimensions
C. Role of Media in Crime Prevention