Lesson 7: Indigenous
Media and Information
Sources
Learning Objectives:
1. Define indigenous media and the different
information sources.
2. Contrast indigenous media to the more
common sources of information.
3. Demonstrate an ability to examine and
compare information from various sources in
order to evaluate its reliability, accuracy,
authority, timeliness, and bias.
4. Interview an elder from the community
regarding indigenous media and information
resource.
Vocabulary List
• Indigenous - native; local; originating or produced naturally in a region.
• Indigenous communication - transmission of information through local
channels or forms. It is a means by which culture is preserved, handed
down, and adapted.
• Indigenous media and information - original information created by a
local group of people. This also refers to content about indigenous peoples
that may be distributed through dominant forms of media or through forms
of communication unique to their people group.
Information Sources
- any system producing information or containing information intended
for transmission.
Common Sources of Information
1. Library - a collection of books or other written or printed materials, as well
as the facility in which they are housed and the institution that is responsible
for their maintenance. Modern libraries may contain a wide range of
materials, including manuscripts and pamphlets, posters, photographs,
motion pictures, and videotapes, sound recordings, and computer databases
in various forms.
Library Classification
(can be in physical or digital form)
A pamphlet is an unbound book.
Pamphlets may consist of a single sheet A manuscript was, traditionally, any document
of paper that is printed on both sides written by hand or typewritten, as opposed to
and folded in half, in thirds, or in fourths, mechanically printed or reproduced in some
called a leaflet or it may consist of a few indirect or automated way. Wikipedia
pages that are folded in half and saddle
stapled at the crease to make a simple
book. Wikipedia
Library Classification
(can be in physical or digital form)
A. Academic Library
A designated place, physical or digital, set aside to
house scholarly research materials and materials
supporting the academic, university, or college
community and curriculum.
B. Public Library
A library that provides library services to the public
and is funded largely by government.
Library Classification
(can be in physical or digital form)
C. School Library
A school library is a library within a school
where students, staff, and often, parents of a
public or private school have access to a variety
of resources.
D. Special Library
A special library is a library that provides
specialized information resources on a subject,
serves a specialized and limited client, and
delivers specialized services to that client.
Acquiring the skills necessary in accessing the library will
give you the following benefits:
Access Benefits in Libraries:
• Understand the need to use information and define your research topic
• Identify the range of information resources available
• Locate and access information using different library collections
• Use search tools to locate relevant information by applying effective
search strategies
Other sources of Information Like Internet:
• Identify and use subject-specific library databases
• Use information independently and critically
• Locate and evaluate quality information on the web
• Cite information and use it in a responsible and ethical manner
Common Sources of Information
2. Internet - A global
computer network
providing a variety of
information and
communication facilities,
consisting of
interconnected networks
using standardized
communication protocols.
Common Sources of Information
3. Alternative Media – Alternative media are media which provide alternative
information to the mainstream media in each context, whether the
mainstream media are commercial, publicly supported, or government owned.
Alternative media differ from mainstream media along one or more of the
following dimensions: their content, aesthetic, modes of production, modes of
distribution, and audience relations.
Alternative media often aim to challenge existing powers, to represent
marginalized groups, and to foster horizontal linkages among
communities of interest.
Hence these media provide an "alternative" viewpoint, different
Hence these media provide an "alternative" viewpoint, different information and
information and interpretations of the world that cannot be found in the
interpretations of the world that cannot be found in the mainstream. Because the term
mainstream. Because
"alternative" has the term
connotations "alternative" hassome
of self-marginalization, connotations of now
media outlets self-prefer
marginalization, some
the term "independent" media
over outlets now prefer the term "independent"
"alternative".
over "alternative".
In this YouTube link, James Corbett, talks about what alternative media is.
--- this YouTube link, James Corbett, talks about what alternative media is.
In
Other alternative forms of communication and distribution have become popular. These
---
include social media, blogs, and flash mob performances. These alternative forms provide
“Other alternative
greater freedom formstoofordinary
and power communication
individualsand distribution
and are have
a quicker way become
of distributing
popular. These
information. include social
The downside is that media, blogs,
a lot of the and flash
information mob
being performances.
passed around is biased
These alternative forms provide greater freedom and power to ordinary
and inaccurate.
---
individuals and are a quicker way of distributing information. The downside
is that a lot of the information being passed around is biased and
inaccurate.”
---
Common Sources of Information
Hudhud Chants of the Ifugao
© Renato S. Rastrollo / NCCA -
ICH/UNESCO
https://ich.unesco.org/en/oral-
traditions-and-expressions-
00053
Indigenous knowledge (IK) is the local knowledge – knowledge that is unique to
a given culture or society. IK contrasts with the international knowledge system
generated by universities, research institutions and private firms. (Warren
1991). Knowledge that is unique to a specific culture or society; most often it is
not written down.
Characteristics of Indigenous Media
• oral tradition of communication
• store information in memories
• information exchange is face-to-face
• information is contained within the border of the
community
Popular media cannot reach some rural areas.
While print, broadcast, and new media have a wide reach, there are still areas that these
forms of media have not reached.
• Indigenous media and information are highly credible because they are near the source and are seldom
circulated for profit.
• Indigenous media are channels for change, education, and development because of its direct access to local
channels.
• Ignoring indigenous media and information can result in development and education programs that are
irrelevant and ineffective.
• Forms of indigenous media and their local examples:
a. Folk or traditional media
b. Gatherings and social organizations
c. Direct observation
d. Records - may be written, carved, or oral
e. Oral instruction
Skills in determining the reliability of information.
A. Check the author. The author’s willingness to be identified is a good indication of
reliability.
B. Check the date of publication or of update. While the information may be true, it may not
be reliable if it is outdated and may have lost relevance.
C. Check for citations. Reliable authors have the discipline of citing sources of their
information.
D. Check the domain or owner of the site or page. The domains .edu and .gov are reserved
for academic institutions and the government respectively. Information from such sites are
presented with caution and are usually well-grounded. Site owners may have an agenda
that affects the manner by which information is presented.
E. Check the site design and the writing style. Credible sources take time to make their
information accessible and easy to comprehend.
Skills in determining accurate information.
a. Look for facts.
b. Cross-reference with other sources to check for consistency.
c. Determine the reason for writing and publishing the
information.
d. Check if the author is objective or learning heavily on a
certain point of view.
Interview Group Activity in short bond paper 3-5 members
