Information Search and Information Evaluation of the Elderly in the COVID-19 Process

The pandemic has been a process that shows that information is important to people. The population most affected by the social restrictions imposed during the pandemic in Turkey is the elderly. Our aim is to reveal the media-new media repertoires, their needs for access to information, their sources and channels, their trust and knowledge levels, their ICT ownership and digital skills at the intersection of age group, gender and class, in the context of digital capital level and digital inequality in the context of digital inequality. The inequalities seen in the aging period in Turkey (the narrowness of the media-new media repertoire volume, the low level of digital capital, the lack of doubt about the tools and sources of information) are the result of accumulation throughout the life cycle of the person. Structural deficiencies along with cumulative advantages and disadvantages in the life cycle determine the inequalities faced by the elderly. 94.8% of the elderly in Turkey own television, television is the main information tool. 51.4% of the elderly own a smartphone. However, the digital capital and competence to use the possibilities of the tool is low. 39% of the elderly do not own any digital tools/media. Those with a high level of digital ownership are 3%. 37% of the elderly do not have digital skills competence. Those with a high level of digital competence are 2%. The most important factor that determines the volume of digital capital (in terms of ownership and competence) is social class. Elderly people most frequently prefer interpersonal communication sources as information sources. This is followed by scientists and government resources. The least used resources are those of national and international non-governmental organizations. In addition, the rate of doubting the accuracy of the information obtained by the elderly from communication tools and resources is very low. Media-new media literacy is a basic cognitive skill required for all segments and populations of society. The public, local administrations and NGOs have important responsibilities in ensuring the elderly people's right to access different and various quality information. Access to accurate information during the pandemic period is not limited to accessing health information, it has a wide scope. In this context, it is recommended that TRT, which broadcasts public television, make thematic broadcasts for the elderly, open centers that provide internet access and provide digital literacy education in neighborhoods and districts, and provide media professionals with specialized training on aging.