Writer Alexa Firmenich brings her readers deep into the powerful network of the earth’s disappearing relationships. Her book series, The Vanishing, describes the fate of endangered species, from plants to bacteria, as well as the very nature of the organisms within the ecosystem. Some plant-bacteria communities are believed to have been interacting with each other for anywhere between 140 and 700 million years, but extinction may be on the horizon for them due to rapid environmental changes. 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
