Is there Still a PR Problem Online? Exploring the Effects of Different Sources and Crisis Response Strategies in Online Crisis Communication Via Social Media

This study examined the effects of source and crisis response strategy on crisis communication outcomes in the context of social media. A 3 (source: organization, CEO, or customer) × 2 (strategy: accommodative or defensive) × 2 (crisis type: airline crash or bank hacking) mixed experimental study was conducted with 391 participants. The organizational sources were more likely to be perceived as more credible than the non-organizational sources. In particular, the CEO appeared to be the most trustworthy and credible source in delivering crisis messages. The path analysis indicated that perceived source credibility mediated the effect of source on reputation and behavioral intentions. This mediation appeared to be contingent on the type of crisis response strategy

From Consumers to Creators: Wikistoriograhy and the Consensus of Collaborative Learning in the Landscape of Web 2.0

This thesis reviews the significance of Wikipedia in an approach to internet historiography. Wikipedia incorporates Web 2.0 methods to create a new way to study and revise history through a consensus of multiple users and editors. The argument of the thesis is structured to address some of the qualms many academics have about Wikipedia, examine how historiography functions in an internet driven world, and finally how Wikipedia fits into the puzzle of internet historiography. It concludes that Wikipedia, the largest user-based information site in the world, must be at the forefront of discussion surrounding internet historiography

Media Credibility Perception Among Millennials in Slovakia

Communication professionals have been facing various challenges and one of them is how to win the audience. Past studies suggest that credibility could be the key. Therefore, credibility can be suggested as one of the key factors driving the traffi c of individuals to certain media. By gaining a better understanding of how Millennials perceive credibility, companies can more appropriately plan and execute successful media campaigns directed to this very important public. A survey with 190 respondents – Millennials – was conducted to determine how they perceive the credibility of various media types. To measure the perception of media credibility, 12 characteristics like objectiveness, activity, intelligence, professionalism, etc. were examined. The results of the study revealed general moderate credibility of newspapers and television. The most credible medium for the Millennials is the Internet, especially because of its activity, ability to act fast, independence and objectivity. On the other hand, this cohort sees both television and newspapers as better presented than the Internet. The worst rated feature of television and newspapers was their passivity and political background. When examining statistically signifi cant difference in overall perception, based on the results from the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, we can conclude that the difference in perception of television, newspapers and the Internet was unlikely to occur by chance and the Millennials perceive the Internet as signifi cantly more credible than television and newspapers

Credibility concerns for online newspapers : do reporter comments influence perceptions of credibility?

This study seeks to explore the effects of reporter comments on perceptions of credibility when readers encounter traditional news in an online format. Using a between-groups design, the study enlisted volunteers from a local community college to read three traditional, authoritative news articles. Each article was followed by six comments. Control participants saw comments from readers. Experimental participants saw the same comments manipulated to appear as though half had been written and posted by the author of the article. The study finds no results at a significant level in regard to credibility ratings attached to the reporter, the article or the organization. Results are discussed in regard to social presence theory and media equation theory. A significant effect by age of participants is also discussed

Social Media and Employee Recruitment: Too Much Pain For Not Much Gain?

Despite the increased utilization of social media for employee recruitment by organizations, the extent to which potential applicants perceive social media as a useful source of employment information and their reactions to these practices have not yet been studied. This study examined the extent to which potential applicants utilize corporate websites and social media when collecting information for employment decisions. The results indicate that the majority of potential applicants would prefer to use both corporate websites and corporate social media pages when looking for information about employment options. However, among potential applicants who would prefer to use only one source, a strong preference toward corporate websites was observed. As two of the potential antecedents of recruitment source preference, trustworthiness and perceived factualness of the information were examined and higher trustworthiness and perceived factualness of the information in corporate websites than corporate social media pages was observed. These findings indicate that organizations should keep their corporate websites with up-to-date information regarding job openings and complement their recruiting efforts on social media

CSR communication and media channel choice in the hospitality and tourism industry

Despite extensive research on corporate engagement in corporate social responsibility (CSR), studies on CSR communication in the hospitality and tourism industry are scarce. Deepening this line of research is necessary to understand properly the real effects of CSR communication on consumers' attitudinal and behavioral responses to companies. In this paper, we test a causal model of CSR communication for this industry based on the hierarchy-of-effects framework. Based on attribution theory, we also explore whether media channel choice affects consumers' perceptions, attitudes, and behavioral intentions in the model. Performing an ANOVA test and multisampling structural equation modeling (SEM), we test our model of CSR communication with two samples that receive the same CSR information about a restaurant chain through a controlled media channel (i.e., corporate website) and a media channel that is uncontrolled by the company (i.e., online newspaper). We collected data from 226 and 240 participants, respectively. The findings suggest that the conceptual model is consistent across the two samples, although the media channel choice significantly affects the strength of several relationships in the model. While consumer?company identification is a stronger mediator in consumers' responses to the CSR message when read in the newspaper, trust is more important for consumers when they evaluate the corporate website. Nevertheless, both media channels report good business returns to the company in terms of consumers' purchase and advocacy intentions. These findings have relevant implications for hospitality and tourism companies, promoting the incorporation of both controlled and uncontrolled media channels into integrated marketing communication strategies

The Role of Motivation in Assessing Website Credibility: Insights from Eye Tracking

A This study examines the role of a website user’s motivation in forming her assessment of the website’s credibility. We applied a dual processing model of website credibility assessment, which posits that motivation determines the extent to which users will critically evaluate website information and later form their credibility impressions of the website. In this paper we examine the relationship between motivation and cognitive processes and how those influence assessments of website credibility. We conducted an experiment using eye tracking technology to gauge the gaze behaviors of website users. We found that motivated users examined information content of the website more tentatively, while non-motivated users evaluated design features of the website more closely. Non-motivated users were inclined to assess the website as more credible. Findings from our study offer strong support for the dual processing model of website credibility

Social Media Use, Media Credibility and Online Engagement Among Young Adults in China

Drawing on data collected online in China, this dissertation consists of four studies that deal – from different angles – with relationships between media use and repertoires, traditional and social media credibility, and online engagement in politics, culture, and health among young adults. In a nutshell, I investigated how much young adults trust the various media outlets at their disposal and how this affects behaviors and forms of engagement vis-à-vis topical issues in the fields of politics, culture and health in the country’s contemporary media environ

How in-U.S. Chinese college sudents consume Covid-19 information on social media: examining the relationship between media credibility and media dependency

In the 2019/2020 academic year, around 370,000 Chinese students studied at U.S. colleges and universities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social media serve as an important channel for in-U.S. Chinese college students to learn about the pandemic-related news and information in both China and the United States. However, due to the wide circulation of misinformation on social media and the censored Chinese media system, the question remains whether in-U.S. Chinese students trust the social media platforms and information sources they depend on. This thesis seeks to answer this question by drawing upon the literature about media credibility and the Media System Dependency theory. Specifically, the study examines whether in-U.S. Chinese college students’ media dependency level can positively predict their perceived credibility level of different social media platforms and information sources within the platforms when consuming news related to COVID-19. Based on an online survey, this thesis found that in-U.S. Chinese students still depended mostly on WeChat, a Chinese social media platform, and perceived it most credible for consuming both Chinese and U.S. COVID-19 information. Despite their experience staying in the U.S., the Chinese students also largely depended on and trusted Chinese governmental and mainstream news media sources within the social media. In addition, media dependency levels could positively predict the perceived credibility level of all social media platforms and information sources. That is, in-U.S. Chinese students tend to trust the media and information sources they depend on. Theoretically, this thesis extends the previous literature about media dependency and credibility to social media and public health crisis contexts, further considering the different features and affordances of various social media platforms

The credibility of the news on social networking sites among Jordanian journalists

Social Networking Site (SNS) has become an important source of news for journalists in the process of obtaining information and publishing news and articles. Hence, the credibility of the news published on SNS is an important subject for study because journalists are competing with citizens in the dissemination of news. The validity of information on SNS is questionable. The focus of this research is identifying the concept of credibility and the prominent credibility standards that must apply in publishing of news. This study examined the relationship between traditional factors in media, acceptance to use of technology, interactive media, quality of news source, exposure to SNS, and scoop with the credibility of news. The questionnaire was distributed to 375 respondents from 1042 registered journalists in the Jordan Press Association (JPA) using simple random sampling. The data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to verify the relationships between the variables. The findings of the study largely support the hypothesized relationships proposed in the study model. The factors used in traditional media, such as journalism ethics, editorial policy rules and laws, demonstrates a positive association with the credibility of news published on SNS to maintain its standards. Reliance on media technology adversely affect the credibility of news. Interactive media and quality of source were found to have a positive relationship with the credibility of news, thus increasing the level of credibility when journalists use SNS as a source of news. The findings have implications for knowledge of theories in understanding the relationship between using SNS as a news source and its credibility. The practical contribution of this study will assist journalists in dealing with news on SNS, in order to develop the best journalism practices, and makes recommendation for future research directions