Abstract
The research uses autoethnography to study how digital capitalist systems and the "post-truth" era influence the development of media literacy skills. The research began with optimistic views about media literacy, believing it teaches people to think critically and make rational decisions which helps them fight against false information. The results of my doctoral research showed that people with higher media literacy skills demonstrated higher trust in social media platforms than expected which ran counter to the predicted critical thinking outcomes of media literacy education. The research through autoethnography investigates how digital capitalist systems together with the "post-truth" period shape the acquisition of media literacy competencies. The research began with optimistic views about media literacy because it teaches people to think critically and make rational decisions which helps them fight against false information. My doctoral study produced an unexpected result which showed that people with strong media literacy abilities still placed trust in social media platforms at higher levels than expected despite the expected negative effects of media literacy. The research employs reflexive narrative to establish links between personal life experiences to the three dominant ideological frameworks which consist of liberal theory and Marxist theory and postmodern theory. The evaluation shows that liberal approaches focus on personal evaluation yet they fail to address fundamental issues with algorithmic discrimination and data control. The author used Marxist analysis to demonstrate how media institutions preserve capitalist systems yet faced difficulties when teaching students to apply their critical understanding toward real social change. Through autoethnographic research the author created a personal story about intellectual development which showed how personal choices interact with organizational obstacles. The research combines liberal agency principles with Marxist structural analysis through Paulo Freire's critical pedagogy and hope concepts to create a fresh educational framework. The method teaches media literacy through practical activities which enable people to fight against institutional power structures while building their personal strength. The study contributes to media literacy research by revealing current ideological disputes and establishes a teaching method which unites reflective learning with political awareness and constructive educational approaches for the modern algorithmic information space.
Keywords
Media Literacy Marxist Media Literacy Liberal Media Literacy Media Literacy in Post Truth Era Autoethnography
References
- Adams, T. E., Jones, S. H., & Ellis, C. (2015). Autoethnography: Understanding qualitative research. Oxford University Press.
Abstract
References
- Adams, T. E., Jones, S. H., & Ellis, C. (2015). Autoethnography: Understanding qualitative research. Oxford University Press.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Language Studies (Other) |
| Journal Section | Research Article |
| Authors | |
| Publication Date | October 29, 2025 |
| Submission Date | July 24, 2025 |
| Acceptance Date | October 6, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 5 Issue: 2 |
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