News Media Literacy and Fact Checking Competence of Student Journalists in Public Secondary Schools

Rooted in Media Literacy Theory, this study examined how news media literacy predicts fact-checking skills among 109 Philippine student journalists. Results show strong competence (M>4.28/5) and a significant correlation (r=0.58), with media literacy domains like source evaluation driving verification abilities. Furthermore, the domain of value for media literacy emerged as the strongest predictor of fact-checking competence (r=0.60). The findings highlight media literacy's role in combating misinformation and urge curriculum integration. While context-specific, the framework applies to global journalism education. Moreover, these results offer practical strategies for educators and policymakers to cultivate critical thinking and responsible journalism among students. It is recommended that school administrators and journalism advisers integrate media literacy and fact-checking training into student journalism programs, equipping students with essential skills for critical media analysis and verification.