From Viral Video to Media Literacy Champion: Dr. Tamilselvi Natarajan’s Fight Against Misinformation
In 2018, a disturbing video depicting a child abduction circulated rapidly on WhatsApp across India, sparking widespread panic and fueling a wave of violent incidents, including lynchings and mob attacks. The video, later identified as a Pakistani public service announcement aimed at raising awareness about child safety, became a stark illustration of the devastating real-world consequences of misinformation. For Dr. Tamilselvi Natarajan, then an assistant media professor in Tamil Nadu, the incident served as a pivotal moment, igniting a passion to combat the spread of false information and equip individuals with the skills to navigate the complex digital landscape. The experience would propel her on a journey from media educator to misinformation warrior, culminating in the establishment of a thriving media literacy program at Bayan College in Oman.
Natarajan’s journey began with a commitment to incorporating discussions about misinformation into her classroom curriculum. Recognizing the need for specialized training, she enrolled in a fact-checking program run by DataLeads. The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic provided an immediate opportunity to put her newfound skills into practice. A viral post claiming to offer contact information for over 100 doctors for emergency assistance caught her attention. Upon investigation, she discovered that none of the numbers were valid, revealing a dangerous instance of misinformation that could have had severe consequences for those seeking medical help. This experience solidified her resolve to actively combat the spread of false information. In 2021, she co-founded MeiFactory, a platform dedicated to debunking health misinformation, which eventually evolved into a full-fledged fact-checking website.
A new chapter began when Natarajan relocated to Oman to take up a media professorship at Bayan College. She discovered the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) and MediaWise’s media literacy training of trainers program, an initiative designed to equip participants with advanced fact-checking techniques and an understanding of the evolving nature of misinformation, particularly in the age of artificial intelligence. Armed with this expertise, she set her sights on empowering her students and colleagues to become discerning consumers of information. However, her initial efforts were met with skepticism. Convincing her audience of the prevalence and impact of disinformation in Oman proved challenging. The turning point came when she incorporated locally relevant examples, including false reports about locust swarms in Mecca, climate change disinformation, and the devastating consequences of financial scams.
These relatable examples resonated with the students, sparking discussions and encouraging them to share their own experiences with dubious online content. One participant recalled encountering false social media reports linking a mutated strain of the coronavirus to infertility in women, a claim that had been thoroughly debunked. These discussions highlighted the importance of critical thinking and the need for readily accessible fact-checking resources. Overcoming the language barrier inherent in conducting English-language training for a predominantly Arabic-speaking audience presented another challenge. Natarajan implemented creative solutions, including collaborating with an Arabic-speaking co-trainer and developing a short video in Arabic to enhance comprehension and engagement.
The interactive nature of her training encouraged open dialogue, with students sharing their struggles in convincing family members, particularly parents, about the dangers of misinformation. This feedback led to calls for Arabic-language training specifically tailored for older generations, underscoring the importance of community-wide engagement in the fight against misinformation. Building on the momentum generated by her workshops, Natarajan, with the support of Bayan College, established a media literacy club. This student-led initiative provides a platform for ongoing discussions, fact-checking workshops, digital media literacy campaigns, and outreach programs aimed at fostering partnerships with other media literacy organizations. The club represents a sustainable approach to embedding media literacy within the college culture.
Natarajan’s vision extends beyond the walls of Bayan College. She plans to incorporate sign language into her training programs to ensure accessibility for individuals with hearing impairments, further broadening the reach of her impactful work. Her journey underscores the vital role that media literacy education plays in fostering critical thinking and empowering individuals to become informed and responsible citizens in the digital age. Her story is a testament to the power of individual initiative and the transformative potential of community engagement in combating the pervasive challenge of misinformation. Her multifaceted approach, encompassing fact-checking, media literacy training, community engagement, and the innovative use of technology, exemplifies the comprehensive effort required to build digital resilience in an increasingly complex information environment.