The cartoons had it right: shooting guns into the air can be dangerous. A simulation with different types of ammunition revealed that celebratory gunfire can be deadly under certain conditions. For example, a falling 0.22 bullet can penetrate a human skull when it drops from 600 feet above the ground. Although celebratory gunfire is culturally accepted in some countries, people should be aware of its potential consequences to life and property. It is better to stick to fireworks! 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
