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Photographer: Mike Higdon
Nevada lawmakers issue news literacy proclamation
Ebonee Rice, NLP’s Senior Vice President of Educator Engagement, left, joins Nevada state lawmaker Cecelia González in announcing a proclamation supporting National News Literacy Week in Carson City on Feb. 4.
Photographer: Mike Higdon
Nevada state Assembly members Cecelia González and Erica Mosca recognized National News Literacy Week and the importance of news literacy education in an official proclamation on the Assembly floor at the state Legislative Building in Carson City on Tuesday.
The proclamation underscores the critical importance of news literacy in a democracy and highlights Nevada’s commitment to ensuring young people have the tools they need to navigate today’s complex media landscape.
González said the effort is important because news consumers — especially young people — often confuse credible information and misinformation. “In a time where misinformation rapidly spreads, this is something that is very critical to us and something that we look forward to bringing to Nevada,” she said when announcing the proclamation. “Making sure that our students are critical thinkers is very important.”
Empowering young people
National News Literacy Week (Feb. 3-7) is an annual initiative designed to elevate the importance of news literacy in a democratic society and is presented by the News Literacy Project in partnership with news organizations, including USA TODAY.
“We live in an era when rumors spread rapidly, making news literacy more essential than ever. This proclamation reaffirms Nevada’s commitment to empowering young people with the skills they need to discern credible information and engage in informed civic participation.” said Ebonee Otoo, Senior Vice President of Educator Engagement for the News Literacy Project. She attended Tuesday’s announcement.
Photographer: Mike Higdon
González and proclamation co-sponsor Assemblymember Mosca said they plan to discuss expanding news literacy education with the Nevada Department of Education. González said options include introducing bills next session or exploring policy change through other means.
“We don’t want to overburden our very burdened teachers, as a teacher myself, so we’re having conversations about how we can incorporate this,” she said.
The News Literacy Project also will meet with the Nevada Department of Education to discuss expanding news literacy education across the state.