We live in a society where everyone has something to say, everything is content, and the line between information and influence is increasingly difficult to discern. Every headline, trending topic, viral video, and carefully curated timeline tells a story. But who gets to tell it? What gets left out? And how do we know what to believe?
This blog is a space to slow down, look closer, and ask better questions.
Meet Courtney
I'm Courtney M. Fowler, a Philadelphia-based journalist, digital content strategist, and creative who believes media literacy is about more than identifying misinformation. It's about understanding the systems, perspectives, and cultural influences that shape how we see the world.
A graduate of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, I've spent my career working at the intersection of storytelling, digital media, and strategic communications. My work has taught me that the way information is presented matters just as much as the information itself. Language influences perception. Images shape narratives. Platforms determine what we see, while algorithms quietly influence what we think deserves our attention.
And in an increasingly crowded digital landscape, knowing how to consume media critically is no longer optional. It's essential.
Why This Space Exists
As a North Philadelphia native, a lifelong lover of books and reading, and a Black woman navigating an ever-changing media landscape, I bring a perspective shaped by culture, community, curiosity, and a healthy respect for the written word.
I'm interested in the stories we tell about ourselves and one another, the voices that are amplified or overlooked, and the ways media influences our understanding of identity, power, history, and everyday life. I'm equally curious about the relationship between technology and storytelling, from the rise of algorithm-driven content to the growing influence of artificial intelligence on how information is created, distributed, and consumed.
This space grew from a simple belief: we should be more intentional about what we read, watch, share, and believe.
What You'll Find Here
Think of this as a field guide to navigating the modern media landscape, grounded in journalism, cultural criticism, and a little intellectual curiosity.
Media Literacy & Misinformation
How to evaluate sources, recognize misleading narratives, question assumptions, and become a more discerning consumer of information.
Digital Culture & Technology
How algorithms, social platforms, artificial intelligence, and the attention economy shape our online experiences.
Representation & Storytelling
Who controls the narrative, whose perspectives are missing, and how media shapes our understanding of Black life, culture, and community.
Journalism & the Information Ecosystem
The evolving role of journalism, the importance of editorial integrity, and what it means to be informed in an age of information overload.
Critical Consumption
Practical ways to approach the news, social media, and everyday content with greater intention, curiosity, and context.
A More Intentional Way to Engage
I'm not interested in adding more noise to an already noisy internet. I'm interested in creating room for thoughtful analysis, meaningful questions, and conversations that extend beyond the scroll.
You won't find a demand to agree with every perspective or a suggestion that critical thinking means being cynical about everything. Instead, you'll find an invitation to stay curious, examine the evidence, consider the context, and remain open to learning something new.
That’s because media literacy isn't simply about knowing what's true; it's about understanding how we come to know it.
