Intellectuality and Media Literacy in Contemporary Society: A Sociological Analysis of the Role of Media in Fostering Rationality and Critical Culture

Document Type : Review paper

Author
Reza Esmaeili
Faculty Member, Department of Governance, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to analyze the multidimensional role of media in enhancing societal intellectuality, with a particular emphasis on mechanisms of influence and the challenges of the digital age, highlighting the role of media literacy. The study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach and employs a systematic documentary method. Data were collected through the review of scientific databases and the content analysis of reputable scholarly works. Findings reveal that media contribute to intellectuality through five major mechanisms: expanding citizens’ access to knowledge, strengthening civic participation across social groups, deepening and enriching cultural life, advancing and consolidating media literacy, and reinforcing the public discourse of intellectuality. Overall, the study concludes that the role of media in fostering intellectuality is shaped by the complex interplay of technology, content, media literacy, communication policy, and media instruments.

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