Pathology of media literacy and its impact on political socialization in Iran

In the present era, the use of radio, television, satellite, and social networks as fast and accessible communication media has become a social necessity and an integral part of human life.On the one hand, in the present era, the media have become tools for spreading various ideas and ideologies around the world. How does exposure to media messages affect the process of political socialization? It seems that the media has had significant consequences on the patterns of political socialization and the consolidation of values ​​and various aspects of human life, including their way of thinking and behavior.According to research findings, in our country, Iran, the media has become an important and influential institution. The lack or weakness of media literacy can cause a deviation from political realities and misconceptions. The media are both opportunistic and harmful, and a realistic understanding of the environment must be made. By utilizing media literacy, the socialization process can be guided from a state of unquestioning acceptance to a state of seeking truth. In Iran, promoting media literacy through formal and informal education can be an effective step in improving political socialization and developing social capital.