FICTIONAL MEDIA ADVISORY

RED RIVER COLLEGE PARTNERS WITH CENTRAL WINNIPEG SCHOOL DIVISION TO CREATE A NEW PROGRAM

Winnipeg, November 5, 2019 – Red River College and Central Winnipeg School Division invite media to cover the announcement of an innovative new program between the two institutions. There will be a demonstration of the new program during the press conference.

WHAT: An announcement from Red River College and Central Winnipeg School Division

WHERE: Red River College, Exchange District Campus 160 Princess Street Room P303 Paid parking available on Elgin Avenue and William Avenue

WHEN: 7 November 2019, 10:30 a.m.

WHO: Conor Llyod, APR, and Director, College and Public Relations for Red River College Kristin Koncan, Director of Communications, Central Winnipeg School Division

About Red River College Red River College is the largest institute of applied learning and research in Manitoba. With a focus on hands-on learning, graduates from Red River College consistently meet and exceed industry demands. Red River College has eight campuses across Manitoba with nearly 22,000 enrolled students. For more information, please visit www.rrc.ca. -30-

For more information, please contact: Allyn Lyons Communications Officer [email protected]

Fictional News Release Red River College Partners with Central Winnipeg School Division to Build Media Literacy in Teens

Winnipeg, November 7, 2019 – Students in the Creative Communications program at Red River College will be teaming up with Winnipeg School Division to help teach media literacy. The program will help young students think critically about what they see, read, and watch online.

“We want people who have grown up online to help young students navigate the internet," said Conor Llyod, Director, College and Public Relations for Red River College. "This program gives digital natives the opportunity to teach digital natives."

Creative Communications students will present to 23 schools across the division, engaging with students about the media they consume and introducing strategies for thinking critically about what they find online. This partnership comes at a time where Science magazine has found that false information travels six times faster than true statements on Twitter.

“Our school division is preparing students for the 21st century, this program will help them think critically inside and outside the classroom,” said Kristin Koncan Director of Communications, Central Winnipeg School Division.

Students in the Creative Communications program are learning to become media professionals and take courses in journalism, advertising, public relations and media production. Using social media is part of their curriculum.

About Red River College Red River College is the largest institute of applied learning and research in Manitoba. With a focus on hands-on learning, graduates from Red River College consistently meet and exceed industry demands. Red River College has eight campuses across Manitoba with nearly 22,000 enrolled students. www.rrc.ca.

For photos, videos, and backgrounders on the subject visit: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3yh7240nyus1vpb/AAAZ5jaQx-NnnN_IBYULHutxa?dl=0 -30- For more information, please contact: Allyn Lyons [email protected] Red River College, 160 Princess Street, R3B 1K9, rrc.ca

Backgrounder

What is Media Literacy? According to Common Sense Media, media literacy is the ability to understand who is sending messages through the media, why they are sending messages, and whether or not those messages are credible. Media literacy is becoming increasingly important as we spend more time consuming media.

Media and Children Common Sense Media found that kids between the ages of eight and twelve spend an average of 4.44 hours a day online while teenagers spend an average of 7.22. At the age of 11, 53 per cent of kids own a smartphone and by the age of 12, that number jumps to 69 per cent.

Media in Classrooms MediaSmarts found that 59 per cent of teachers allow their students to use devices like laptops, tablets, or smartphones in the classroom. The same study found that 13 per cent of teachers use social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Instagram in class for educational purposes. Of the 4,000 teachers that responded to this survey, 79 per cent either “strongly” or “somewhat” agreed that using devices in the classroom helped their students learn.

Despite the increased use of devices and media in the classroom, MediaSmarts found that media literacy is not taught evenly across Canada.

The Spread of False Information Online According to Science, the amount of fake news circulating online is increasing. The same study found that fake news travels six times faster online and is 70 per cent more likely to be retweeted than the truth. The study found that this was true even when false information was spread by unverified accounts with few followers. Science suggested that false information spreads more quickly because it is more shocking or novel than the truth.

Pew Research Center has found that the amount of false information online is affecting how Americans across political affiliations, education levels, and income see the world. The study found that 64 per cent of Americans said that fake news has created uncertainty about current events, and 23 per cent had shared fake news in the past.