Whales may be smarter than we think; sperm whale groups in the North Pacific seemed to have not only adopted defensive techniques after humans started hunting them but also been capable of social learning, where they taught each other these techniques. Scientists theorize that, in one case study, this social learning could have led to the rapid decline of successful harpooning attempts a few years after whalers explored a new region. Read full article here
Research
Improving media literacy could boost trust towards the news, IMPRESS report suggests
The UK media is regulated by the likes of IPSO and Ofcom. The report by press regulator IMPRESS highlights the link between low levels of media literacy and trust in the news. The study found that three quarters of those who did not know if journalists were regulated did not trust the news. It suggests that improving media literacy is one way to stem the erosion of trust, and shows that audiences have an appetite for information on news processes. Stakeholders need to collaborate in order to rebuild trust in the news, and independent media is well placed to do this. Read full article here
Merv
February 1, 2023
