A reading culture is essential to promote a knowledge-based society

Today, acquiring information and, by extension, knowledge is relatively easy. Thanks to technology and the explosion of new media, it is within easy reach. If the love for reading is cultivated early, people’s access to information and knowledge resources through education is assured. The article argues that promoting a reading culture is essential for reducing disinformation and promoting a knowledge-based society.The pertinent question to ask is why people should read or why we should readPeople read for various reasons, and this is often influenced by what they read and how they read it. Some people read for pleasure. Depending on age, people are likely reading the Bible, other religious texts, newspapers or books such as novels or poetry. People might also be reading music lyrics or stories (breaking news) via devices like their phones or other outlets, which means that reasons for reading may be more diverse than just for pleasure.Understanding what we read is the most important part of the reading process. Understanding a text requires careful consideration and should not be based solely on a glance at a headline. It is common for people to form conclusions based on their assumptions rather than investing time in thorough comprehension. Taking the time to truly understand a text is crucial in order to avoid misinformation. However, it can be challenging to discern stories&#039; origins and accompanying visuals in the multimedia age.Why should people be encouraged to start reading and adopt a love for reading?It is essential for people to cultivate a culture of reading from an early age and to develop critical reading skills to challenge false information and understand the digital world we are growing up in. Reading can influence decision-making and critical thinking skills, helping to develop moral imagination and ethical citizenship.Reading alone cannot completely change people&#039;s thinking processes. Reading is a process of developing cognitive skills involving a mental process involving critical thinking, processing information, and gaining new knowledge. It builds on the natural curiosity of a human being from early childhood. It is a fascinating combination of audio and visual senses that are stimulated in various ways. Storytelling using simple texts can cultivate a love for reading in children.Our government can encourage more people to read by providing resources for print and digital reading materials and creating policies supporting a reading culture.A knowledge-based society can be created, and promoting a reading culture is crucial to combatting ignorance and fake news. Reading is valued because it adds to our knowledge and understanding. Whilst the attractiveness of newspapers, books, or literary activities is declining due to the rise of social media and other media outlets, there is a need to keep prompting a reading culture. The lack of reading has led to a decline in our intellectual engagement. It threatens our social and economic development as people increasingly reduce their knowledge-seeking behaviours.The rise of new media, such as smart televisions, the Internet of Things (TOT), and social networking sites, has changed how people acquire information. Traditional reading is no longer the primary way of gaining new information in this age of technology.Social media and mobile telephony, especially smartphones, have dramatically impacted how much people read. This high-frequency usage of electronic devices is expected to bring about significant changes in reading habits for both young and old. Children as young as 18 months or seven are now using digital devices, and as they get older, they spend even more time on these devices. This raises the question of what will happen to books and the simple act of reading. Unicef research shows earlier exposure to devices can harm children. A passion for reading still needs to be nurtured at family and school levels to ensure children can acquire the critical skills to combat reading difficulties in later life.The impact of social media on promoting a reading culture can be positive and negative. The content shared on social media is enormous and has positive and negative contributions. Encouraging the public to get involved in promoting a reading culture via social media platforms can be a positive contribution to social media. However, there are concerns about online privacy and cyber security, especially regarding children, because of privacy problems on social networks. Communities, parents, and legislators must ensure adequate controls and safety systems are available for minors to access social media. Regulatory frameworks are essential to protect children in the use of social media. Misuse of social media platforms has had negative impacts on users.Does a lack of reading discriminate?A lack of reading does not discriminate based on social class, status, level of education, or qualifications. Many people, including educated individuals and politicians, are ignorant regarding reading, lacking comprehension and understanding of general or specific subjects. We have many cases where government and state-owned enterprises are being sued for millions of taxpayers&#039; money due to officials and boards of directors not reading and studying policies and strategy documents. Another worry in many social circles is the rise of fake and unsubstantiated digital information circulating on social media due to a lack of reading and research.People often need to pay more attention to this by taking the time to research and verify the information they come across. Reading is essential for finding reliable sources (online or in print) and considering readers&#039; responses when dealing with false information. Often, critical information is hidden in fine print in what is usually called the Ts&Cs, or the terms and conditions, which many of us overlook until there are problems. Reading, including the fine print, is critical to self-protection and knowledge acquisition for making key decisions.Promoting a reading culture aligns with the key messages of the SGDs, Agenda 2063 and the national development plans of many African countries. Many countries are committed to providing free basic education and literacy programmes to ensure access to basic literacy for all.Efforts to promote a reading culture in the age of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok should involve various stakeholders, especially youth. Understanding why some Namibians, young people and adults, are not reading is essential.Stakeholders, including the government and the private sector, should promote a reading culture proactively. Educational authorities and institutions need to be involved, and community participation is crucial for understanding the value of reading.Strengthening collaboration and unity among stakeholders is necessary to close the gap between Namibian youth&#039;s reading interests and challenges. Creating partnerships to promote a culture of reading is essential, and we should applaud those who have already taken up the baton to lead in this effort.*Dr Lance Hauuanga, PhD, philanthropist and TVET expert.

A reading culture is essential to promote a knowledge-based society

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-19

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A reading culture is essential to promote a knowledge-based society

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-19

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