“Break the Fake”: Media Literacy Week starts today, promoting fact-checking and stopping the spread of misinformation
Ottawa, ON – October 7, 2019
MediaSmarts and the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) are today launching Media Literacy Week (October 7 to 11) with teachers and students, libraries and museums, and community groups across the country engaging in activities that encourage Canadians to “Break the Fake” and check information they see online before sharing it.
“One of the most important issues in today’s digital world is the spread of online misinformation,” says Kathryn Ann Hill, Executive Director of MediaSmarts. “We want to take the opportunity this Media Literacy Week to remind all Canadians that we need to check to make sure a story or social media post is true and accurate before we share anything online.”
“As our students grow up in an increasingly connected digital world, It’s critical that they have the skills and tools at their disposal to identify the veracity of what they’re consuming online,” says Shelley Morse, President of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE). “Media Literacy Week shines a spotlight on both the awareness needed to recognize online misinformation and our collective responsibility to stop it in its tracks.”
Media Literacy Week is supported this year by a public awareness campaign featuring Break the Fake and the iconic house hippo. The original 1999 campaign was created to teach kids to think critically about what they see onscreen, a message that continues to resonate for people of all ages today.
Canadians will also have access to free Break the Fake resources including a workshop, tip sheets, posters, and educational videos. There are also lesson plans for teachers to use, during Media Literacy Week and beyond.
Media Literacy Week is an annual event co-hosted by MediaSmarts and the CTF to promote digital and media literacy. Over 100 collaborating organizations across the country are participating in this year’s Media Literacy Week by organizing activities and workshops, and by promoting media literacy.
This project has been made possible (in part) by the Government of Canada.
Media Literacy Week is supported by Telus, Facebook, Bell, Twitter, YouTube, the Newfoundland & Labrador Teachers’ Association, the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association, the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario and the Nova Scotia Teachers Union.
Visit www.mediasmarts.ca/mlw for more information.
Join the conversation
#MediaLitWk | #BreaktheFake
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About MediaSmarts
MediaSmarts is the national, bilingual, not-for-profit centre for digital and media literacy. For the past 25 years, MediaSmarts has advanced digital and media literacy in Canadian schools, homes, and communities. mediasmarts.ca
About the CTF
Founded in 1920, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation is a non-profit organization and a national alliance of provincial and territorial Member Organizations that represent over 273,000 teachers across Canada. @CanTeachersFed
Contact:
Tricia Grant
Manager of Marketing and Communications
MediaSmarts
613-224-7721 ext. 231
tgrant@mediasmarts.ca
