MediaWise

Digital media literacy for all

What is MediaWise?

The MediaWise project empowers people of all ages to become more critical consumers of content online. We teach people digital media literacy and fact-checking skills to spot misinformation and disinformation, with initiatives specifically designed to engage Gen Z, college students and older Americans. Our innovative, digital-first program works constantly to address the ever-changing landscape of misinformation across the internet.

We believe that when facts prevail, democracy wins.

Training and Resources

Hone your digital media literacy skills through small group sessions, self-paced online courses and more.

Learn how to be MediaWise

Teen Fact-Checking Network

Fact-checks for teenagers, by teenagers. Get the facts about viral posts and learn how to debunk falsehoods.

Is this legit?

MediaWise Ambassadors

Prominent journalists and influencers use their platform to support the MediaWise mission.

Meet our friends

Praise for MediaWise

MediaWise has gotten noticed by USA Today, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NBC News and other outlets.

Read all about it

Support MediaWise

MediaWise is made possible thanks to grants, donations and partnerships. Help us reach millions more people!

Contact us

MediaWise Team

  • Katy Byron
    Director of MediaWise
    Katy Byron is a third-generation journalist with nearly 20 years’ experience in social media, TV, wire service, print and digital news. She joined The Poynter...
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  • Alex Mahadevan
    Program Manager, MediaWise
    Alex Mahadevan is the program manager with the MediaWise project. He most recently worked as a data journalist at the personal finance startup The Penny...
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  • Heaven Taylor-Wynn
    Multimedia Reporter, MediaWise
    Heaven Taylor-Wynn is a digital journalist who joined MediaWise in 2019 shortly after graduating from the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications. The...
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  • Alexa Volland
    Multimedia Reporter, MediaWise
    Alexa Volland is a multimedia reporter with the MediaWise project. Before joining Poynter, she was the web editor for the Tampa Bay Times' high school...
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  • Vanya Tsvetkova
    Interactive Learning Designer, MediaWise
    Vanya Tsvetkova is an interactive learning designer at Poynter's MediaWise. She helps develop curricula in a variety of formats to teach fact-checking and digital media...
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  • Miriam Valverde
    Fact-Checker, PolitiFact
    Miriam Valverde is a fact-checker for PolitiFact. Previously, she reported for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Bradenton Herald, the Boston Globe and a Boston Spanish-language...
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Supporters

Partners

The Poynter Institute for Media Studies, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3. The EIN for the organization is 59-1630423. You can view The Poynter Institute’s most-recent public financial disclosure form 990 here. Contact us at mwtips@poynter.org.