Resistance and the limits of media literacy in countering disinformation (in transitional media systems)

After outlining existing regulation and censorship in transitional media systems, this chapter considers the place of media literacy (variously defined) in public behaviours towards hateful disinformation. Early sections examine how arguments around media literacy, inoculation and resistance have failed persecuted populations in India where a vast network of far right ideologues and their supporters have gained power. Informed by studies of mediated hate, disinformation and regulation, later sections demonstrate that this takeover is influencing what it means to be a good citizen and who is and is not considered deserving of human recognition. An examination of the proliferation of systematic political disinformation, hate speech and violence suggests that, far from being media illiterate or digitally ignorant, many hate and disinformation perpetrators are highly digitally skilled. To remain viable, the definition of media literacy needs to be radically rethought beyond the idea of ‘not getting tricked’/’being able to perform certain skills’.