Channel Five CEO Keynote Speaker for Belize-Trinidad Media Training

Marleni Cuellar

Great Belize Television’s C.E.O., Marleni Cuellar, who is herself an award-winning journalist, was the keynote speaker during the Belize and Trinidad media training. She warned participants to be discerning about their sources, particularly with the overwhelming amount of information online, which can be used to support or negate a particular argument or position.

Marleni Cuellar, CEO, Great Belize Television

“Media literacy has become a foundational skill for today’s generation. Globally, online content consumption is estimated to be six to seven hours daily. Just imagine, during this time that we engage on our screens, we’re bombarded by articles, videos, infographics, and even memes telling us stories and trying to capture our attention. Some of us try to exercise control and step away from the computer or put down the phone, but then get notified on our watches. That is how hyper-connected we are, and if we’re to be honest, impatient as well, to get information. But this information overload can pose a significant threat. Let’s use the example of Googling. One Google search and we have instant access to millions of results and the best and worst part is you can find exactly what it is you’re looking for. We saw this in the pandemic as people searched for reasons to get vaccinated and reasons not to get vaccinated. Let’s look at something less consequential. If you look for health benefits of milk verses side effects of milk, you enter a minefield of information and depending on what you search for, you can find the validation you needed to reinforce pre-existing biases and beliefs.”