EDUCATION AND MISINFORMATION: MEDIA LITERACY, SCIENCE AND DIALOGUE

Misinformation is a problem that has been accentuated by the increase of internet access through social networks and instant messaging applications. Moreover, it has impacted on the decrease of public confidence, the polarization of society and the increase of scientific negationism. This essay will address 3 (three) fronts on which education can act to combat misinformation: media literacy, confidence in science, and promotion dialogue to deal with polarization. Media literacy can foster a critical reading of the media so that the manipulative strategies present in the networks of misinformation become clear. To deal with scientific negationism, it is necessary to improve the conditions for science teaching in Brazilian schools, with more laboratories and adequate teacher training. It can also contribute to a greater confidence in science a popular scientific dissemination that approaches the students' daily life by exploring the importance of the scientific method. In front of the polarization of society, encouraged by political division and radicalization, the school can counter with dialogue, solidarity and tolerance. In this scenario, it is necessary to maintain effective communication, often using affection communication between teacher and student to improve motivation and receptivity to students' questions. In front of so many misinformation, polarization and scientific negationism promoted mainly by the conservative ultra-right movement, it is necessary to fight for Brazilian schools to continue to be a space for the promotion of science, dialogue and democracy.