The Potential for Media Literacy to Combat Misinformation: Results of a Rapid Evidence Assessment

Academics, policy makers, and social media platforms have engaged with media literacy responses to misinformation. To examine the effectiveness of specific strategies, we conducted a rapid evidence assessment of research conducted between 2011 and 2021, focusing on the intersection of media literacy and misinformation. The analysis revealed the effectiveness of certain types of media literacy intervention, notably strategies that prompt conscious and rational engagement with content and develop critical thinking skills. The effects of interventions varied over time, and the complexity of media and information environments suggests that this variability will persist. The literature contained multiple definitions of misinformation and media literacy, making it hard to draw wider conclusions or comparative insights across studies. We conclude that future research should employ more robust methodologies, including a wider variety of platforms and more inclusive sampling of vulnerable and marginalized populations, as well as extending research into global majority countries.