Obsessing over a collection isn’t that uncommon. Some would spend thousands to get their hands on a C6R5 Raiden Shogun in Genshin Impact. But never has an obsession caused the extinction of so many species as the craze for Nepenthes, or pitcher plants. This leads to outrageous stories; for instance, Jimmy, an aspiring collector, met a seasoned collector (Mat) and asked him to show him the ropes. Mat gladly shared his knowledge and (illegal) sources—until Jimmy turned out to be an undercover US Fish and Wildlife Service agent, resulting in Mat’s arrest. 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
