Understanding how animal welfare is portrayed — and often distorted — in media, advertising, and social media is essential for consumers, advocates, and policymakers seeking evidence-based perspectives.
Media literacy is a foundational skill for effective engagement with animal welfare. The ability to evaluate marketing claims, verify welfare certification standards, assess the credibility of advocacy organizations, and distinguish scientific evidence from opinion is increasingly important in a complex information environment. Consumers who can see through welfare-washing and engage with genuine evidence are better equipped to make choices aligned with their values and to support effective policy change.