More than 40 million Americans admit that they would avoid staying on the 13th floor of a high-rise building. The fear of the number 13, known as triskaidekaphobia, is so widespread that the Otis Elevator Co. reports that for every building with a 13th floor, six others skip straight from the 12th to the 14th. The origins of the superstition are unclear, but one explanation is that the number 13 contrasts with the sense of completeness and perfection represented by the number 12. In some cultures, other numbers, such as 9 in Japan and 4 in China, are also considered unlucky. 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
