Citing an Example of an Issue Showing the Power of Media and Information to Affect Change

Module in Media and Information Literacy 12

DARIELLE APILAS-BACAYAN
Developer
Quarter 2 ● Module 1
Lesson
As emphasized in the previous activity, information, if given to the proper authority is indeed powerful,. This
information is more powerful if it is presented or circulated in the appropriate media. An example of this is Dr. Jose
Rizal's novels that caused social change during the Spanish regime. The information regarding the situation of the
country during the colonization period were shared through print media.
Taking the context of Rizal's "the pen is mightier than the sword" in your generation, the term ‘pen’ from his
words may be replaced with media and information, which will make
the quotation go, “the media and information are mightier than the sword”, meaning that media and information, like his
novels, can inspire change in people’s lives.
It is undeniable that media is an essential tool in disseminating information. The combination of these two – the
angle of the information/issue disseminated, and the media used to share this kind of information – is a very powerful
influence in all aspects of a person’s life (psychological, emotional, economic, social, political, educational, medical,
etc.), whether s/he is fully aware of it or not.
Below is an example of how media and information caused some changes in the field of education. Study the
issue that was experienced by students and parents during the first implementation of distance learning this school
year. Look at how media and information affected the decision about the issue.

Issue: Weekly submission and retrieval of modules

Scenario (Information 1):
Parents and students are airing their concern about the weekly submission of answer sheets and distribution of
modules.
Background Information (Information 2):
1. Teachers announced that the submission of answer sheets and distribution of modules will be done weekly
because modules are designed to be accomplished in a week.
2. Parents and students are not in favor of the weekly submission of answer sheets and distribution of modules
for a number of reasons, but mainly because of time.
a. Parents say that they cannot help their children in that short amount of time, given that they are also working
during the day.
b. Due to travelling restrictions, it is not so easy for parents to travel on a weekly basis.
c. Students say that the time is not enough because of the number of activities for each module.
d. Some students have to help their younger siblings with their modules too.
2. Some schools in other areas of the country are able to retrieve and distribute modules on a bi-weekly basis,
even monthly basis.
Possible roles of media in the situation:
1. Most, if not all prominent types of media (broadcast, internet, print) are covering this same issue from all over
the country.
2. Some media report that there are schools or areas, with the same setup and the same situation, that are
capable of retrieving and distributing materials in a bi- weekly manner.
3. The angle with which this issue is presented in most, if not all prominent types of media supports the bi-
weekly retrieval and distribution of modules because they sympathize with the parents and students.
4. Media facilitates the communication of parents with each other about the announced retrieval and distribution
of modules.
5. This concern is brought to the attention of the proper authorities with the use of
media via the internet (which includes social media and other communicating
How was the power of information and media shown in the given scenario? Originally, the decision was to
retrieve the answer sheets and distribute the next set of modules on a weekly basis (information 1). However, due to the
concerns of parents being aired (information 2) through the various types of media, paired with the support of these
media to the sentiments of parents and students and the reports that there are areas and schools that are able to
retrieve and distribute modules on a bi-weekly basis, it was decided that it will be done on a bi-weekly basis also.

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 You see, in this scenario, the information and the media played a very vital role  in the decision-making of
the proper authorities in adjusting the retrieval and distribution of modules. Without the possible information given
above (say, parents and students did not air their sentiments and no information on how other areas are doing the
retrieval and distribution), the media do not have anything to report. In the same manner, even if there is information, if
there is no media coverage or if the media decides to support (by emphasis) other matters not concerning the
information, then it may be the case that the decision of a weekly retrieval and distribution will still be in place. No action
would have been made if information and media did not work together.
WRITTEN TASK

Analyze each statement carefully. Choose the letter of the word or phrase that makes the sentence false. If
there are no errors in the statement, write E.
1. Information alone cannot affect change .
A B C D
1. Having the right information is the not an important step in affecting change.
A B C D
1. Media and information are powerful tools in affecting change.
A B C D
1. Media and information can greatly affect change in all aspects of a person’s life.
A B C D
1. Since media and information are powerful tools to affect change, users can use them
A B
in any way they want, as long as they achieve change.
C D
1. The power of media and information is noticeable for nationwide issues but it doesn’t
A B
mean that it cannot be used for smaller-scale issues.
C D
1. All types of media, without information, can affect change.
A B C D
1. Using the correct type of media will help in affecting change.
A B C D
1. The information and the media play a very minor role in the decision-making of the
A B
proper authorities as well as the masses. .
C D
1. Media and information, like Dr. Rizal’s novels, can inspire activism in people’s lives.
A B C D
1. The angle of the story or the perspective with which an issue is shown in the media
A B C
does not matter much in affecting change.
D
1. Media and information are at your disposal to use in any way you wish to make sure
A B C
that the change you want to happen will indeed happen, no matter what.
D
13. It is possible that people are not aware of the influence of media and information
A B C D
In their lives.

14. Change will most likely happen if media and information will not work
A B C
in consonance with each other.
D

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1. Other aspects of an individual’s life can also be affected and influenced by media.
A B C D

Please make sure to write your name and section and submit ONLY this page during your schedule.
ANSWER KEY
Citing an Example of an Issue Showing the Power of Media and Information to Affect Change
Module in Media and Information Literacy 12
Quarter 2 ● Module 1
Folder No. 6
Class No. ______ Score:___________________________
Name (Last Name First):______________________________ Section:___________________________

PERFORMANCE TASK
Activity2: Power to Affect Change
Your task now is to look for an issue currently or previously faced by the educational sector that was greatly influenced
by information and media. Analyze this situation like what was done in the What Is It part. Copy and complete the
template below in your answer sheet. Remember that there must be a change from the original plan to the actual
outcome or resolution of the issue, similar to the example in the discussion above.

Issue

Scenario

Fact/s (as presented by the articles from

various media sources, 1-2 only)

Role of media (1-2 only)

Change caused by media

Written Task
1. 6. 11.

2. 7. 12.

3. 8. 13.

4. 9. 14.

5. 10. 15.