From Lurkers to Listeners: Introducing the Concept of Online Listening into Political Communication Studies

Palabras clave: ciudad, espacio urbano, ofertas culturales, consumo cultural, multicultural

Youth in the face of disinformation: A qualitative exploration of Mexican college students’ attitudes, motivations, and abilities around false news

This paper aims to deepen our understanding of the relationship between young people in Mexico and disinformation, while shedding light on their practices and perceptions around this phenomenon. I have chosen a qualitative perspective to delve into the ways that Mexican college students interact and deal with the growing problem of false news in the current media landscape. Thus, I conducted semi-structured interviews (N = 28) using an elicitation technique, during which participants were exposed to real samples of disinformation content to encourage a conversation around the type of false news that they come across in their daily lives. Results reveal nuances in the ways that college students prefer social media over traditional media, even though they report finding more disinformation in the former. They also show the impact that students’ attitudes and habits have on their relationship with disinformation. Moreover, the study presents evidence that college students critically question disinformation, do not take it at face value, and are not prone to share it. However, findings also highlight differences related to the format in which the false content is presented. For example, TikTok videos were more likely to effectively deceive the viewer, more so than images shared on Facebook. Students also believe that older people are more likely to believe in disinformation, potentially indicating a third-person effect of this content. Lastly, this exploration emphasizes the need to further examine the broader consequences of disinformation and believing in false content, such as a reduced interest in political information

La creencia en fake news y su rol en el acatamiento de medidas contra COVID-19 en México

During the COVID-19 pandemic, fake news proliferated along with the concern that they would affect behavior regarding the disease. With a semi-representative survey in Mexico (N= 1211), this study analyzes a mediational process to determine the impact of the use of traditional and social media on compliance with contagion prevention measures, through the perception of veracity of fake news about COVID-19. As anticipated, results indicate that believing fake news leads to less compliance of preventive measures. Likewise, the analysis indicates that, consistent with our hypothesis, using social media leads to more belief in fake news, but contrary to our expectations, consuming traditional media also leads to a greater belief in fake news. In particular, the study explored the mediating role of belief in fake news on the effect that using traditional and social media has on compliance with preventive measures. We found evidence for this indirect effect: use of traditional and social media is a predictor of believing fake news about COVID-19, which then results in lower compliance with measures. In contrast, the direct effect of using traditional and social media on compliance with measures has a positive direction. Thus, this work evinces that fake news can hinder the resolution of the health crisis, by discouraging compliance with preventive strategies.Durante la pandemia por la COVID-19, las fake news proliferaron y con ello la preocupación de que estas afecten el comportamiento ante la enfermedad. Mediante una encuesta semi-representativa en México (N=1211), este estudio analiza un proceso mediacional para determinar el impacto del uso de medios tradicionales y sociales en el acatamiento de medidas de prevención de contagio, a través de la percepción de veracidad de fake news sobre COVID-19. Como se anticipaba, los resultados indican que creer en noticias falsas conduce a un menor cumplimiento de medidas preventivas. Asimismo, el análisis indica que, en congruencia con nuestra hipótesis, usar redes sociales lleva a creer más en fake news, pero contrario a lo esperado, consumir medios tradicionales también deriva en mayor creencia de noticias falsas. Particularmente, el estudio exploró el rol mediador de la creencia en fake news en el efecto del uso de medios tradicionales y sociales en el seguimiento de medidas preventivas. Se encontró evidencia de este efecto indirecto: el uso de medios tradicionales y sociales es un predictor de creer fake news sobre COVID-19, lo cual resulta en un menor acatamiento de medidas. En cambio, el efecto directo de usar medios tradicionales y sociales sobre el acatamiento de medidas tiene una dirección positiva. Así, este trabajo evidencia que las fake news pueden obstaculizar la resolución de la crisis sanitaria, desincentivando el cumplimiento de estrategias precautorias

¿Quién cree las fake news? Análisis de la relación entre consumo de medios y la percepción de veracidad de noticias falsas sobre la enfermedad COVID-19 en Nuevo León, Méxic

Este estudio, que presenta los resultados de una encuesta en línea aplicada a la población del estado de Nuevo León, México (n=743), aporta un retrato de características individuales y hábitos de consumo de información que están relacionados con la creencia de fake news sobre la enfermedad COVID-19. Se encontraron relaciones entre la edad (asociación positiva) y nivel educativo (asociación negativa) y la proclividad a creer en noticias falsas, lo cual acentúa la necesidad de extender esfuerzos de alfabetización mediática. Asimismo, los resultados indican que quienes consumen con más frecuencia noticias en periódicos impresos o en línea y en Internet son menos propensos a creer en fake news sobre la enfermedad, lo cual se alinea con la escuela de pensamiento sobre efectos de medios de comunicación –la teoría de movilización– que destaca una influencia positiva de estos en la sociedad. En cambio, en los hallazgos se observa que el mayor uso de YouTube para informarse —y no otras redes sociales como suele pensarse— es un factor vinculado positivamente con la creencia de noticias falsas sobre COVID-19, por lo que se debe poner especial atención a acciones tomadas para combatir desinformación en ese espacio

Roles democráticos y retos para la práctica de periodistas mexicanos

Asumiendo que el periodismo posee un valor democrático normativo en su esencia, esta investigación integra 17 entrevistas en profundidad con periodistas mexicanos, principalmente ubicados en la ciudad de Monterrey y Ciudad de México, para determinar cómo estos profesionales conciben sus roles normativos en una democracia no consolidada. Los resultados indican que los periodistas mexicanos identifican principalmente la función de monitoreo, es decir, el proporcionar información a ciudadanos para la toma de decisiones. Sin embargo, al reflexionar sobre su capacidad para realizar este rol, dichos periodistas lamentan que fallan a la democracia en el desempeño de éste. Ello se debe tanto a desafíos relacionados con su contexto particular, como a vicisitudes que afectan al periodismo mundialmente. Los periodistas señalan problemas con dueños de medios de comunicación y autoridades políticas que se piensan todavía “en el viejo sistema”, y dicen verse afligidos por instituciones políticas débiles incapaces de garantizar su seguridad.Assuming journalism has a normative democratic value at its core, this research draws on 17 in-depth interviews with Mexican journalists (primarily located in Monterrey and Mexico City) to determine how they conceive their normative roles in a non-consolidated democracy. Results indicate that the main function identified by journalists is the monitorial one, that is, providing citizens with information to make decisions. However, when reflecting on their ability to perform this role, Mexican journalists acknowledge that they fail democracy. This failure is due to various challenges pertaining to their particular context and problems that afflict journalism worldwide. Most notably, Mexican journalists struggle with media owners and political authorities whose actions still correspond to the old political system and weak political institutions incapable of guaranteeing their safety

Fact-checking en el periodismo mexicano: Análisis de la experiencia Verificado 2018

This paper analyzes how fact-checking is incorporated into Mexican journalism taking into account the experience of Verificado 2018. In-depth interviews were conducted with journalists who collaborated in the project. The results indicate that Verificado 2018 journalists conceive fact-checking as a part of traditional journalism and its democratic objective. However, they pointed out failures in the practice of journalism in Mexico and threats due to the growing phenomenon of fake news. In this context, Verificado 2018 opted for alternatives in the performance of its fact-checking tasks, such as a more horizontal relationship with sources, interaction with the public, collaborative journalism and media literacy stories. They considered though that Verificado 2018 does not have an activist mission. Verificado 2018 fueled the discussion on the quality of Mexican journalism and how journalists can contribute to its improvement.Este trabajo analiza cómo se incorpora el fact-checking en el periodismo mexicano, tomando en cuenta la experiencia de Verificado 2018. Se realizaron entrevistas a profundidad con periodistas que colaboraron en el proyecto. Los resultados indican que los periodistas de Verificado 2018 conciben al fact-checking como parte del periodismo tradicional y su objetivo democrático. No obstante, señalaron fallas en la práctica del periodismo en México y amenazas por el creciente fenómeno de noticias falsas. En este contexto, Verificado 2018 apostó por alternativas en el desempeño de sus labores de fact-checking, como una relación más horizontal con fuentes, interacción con el público, periodismo colaborativo y notas de educación mediática. Empero, consideraron que Verificado 2018 no tuvo una misión activista. Verificado 2018 avivó la discusión sobre la calidad del periodismo mexicano y de qué forma periodistas pueden contribuir a su mejora

Roles democráticos y retos para la práctica de periodistas mexicanos

Assuming journalism has a normative democratic value at its core, this research draws on 17 in-depth interviews with Mexican journalists (primarily located in Monterrey and Mexico City) to determine how they conceive their normative roles in a non-consolidated democracy. Results indicate that the main function identified by journalists is the monitorial one, that is, providing citizens with information to make decisions. However, when reflecting on their ability to perform this role, Mexican journalists acknowledge that they fail democracy. This failure is due to various challenges pertaining to their particular context and problems that afflict journalism worldwide. Most notably, Mexican journalists struggle with media owners and political authorities whose actions still correspond to the old political system and weak political institutions incapable of guaranteeing their safety.Asumiendo que el periodismo posee un valor democrático normativo en su esencia, esta investigación integra 17 entrevistas en profundidad con periodistas mexicanos, principalmente ubicadosen la ciudad de Monterrey y Ciudad de México, para determinar cómo estos profesionales conciben sus roles normativos en una democracia no consolidada. Los resultados indican que los periodistas mexicanos identifican principalmente la función de monitoreo, es decir, el proporcionar información a ciudadanos para la toma de decisiones. Sin embargo, al reflexionar sobre su capacidad para realizar este rol, dichos periodistas lamentan que fallan a la democracia en el desempeño de éste. Ello se debe tanto a desafíos relacionados con su contexto particular, como a vicisitudes que afectan al periodismo mundialmente. Los periodistas señalan problemas con dueños de medios de comunicación y autoridades políticas que se piensan todavía “en el viejo sistema”, y dicen verse afligidos por instituciones políticas débiles incapaces de garantizar su seguridad

Networked Gatekeeping and Networked Framing on Twitter Protests in Mexico about the Ayotzinapa Case

This research focuses on a Twitter protest about the disappearance of 43 students in Mexico in 2014 known as the Ayotzinapa case which used the hashtag #PaseDeLista1al43. Social network analysis, interviews and thematic analyses of 3,616 tweets were conducted to investigate how networked gatekeeping and networked framing processes occurred within this networked public. Results show that on this digital protest, elite and non-elite Twitter users were in charge of gatekeeping activities, collaborating to maintain the discussion of the topic of the missing students. The analysis of frames revealed that the protest sought to: humanize the case emphasizing the life of the students; assign responsibility; and portray itself as a way to take an active role and coping emotionally with the disappearance. This works contributes to the literature on networked publics, combining network analysis with interviews to look beyond the digital footprint of the protest to listen to the perspectives of protesters, providing an insight into the dynamics of gatekeeping and framing within a network. Given the porosity, openness, and permanence of Twitter, results from such collaborative relationship of elite and non-elite voices to protest about an issue are now harder to ignore in the public sphere

Youth in the face of disinformation: A qualitative exploration of Mexican college students’ attitudes, motivations, and abilities around false news

This paper aims to deepen our understanding of the relationship between young people in Mexico and disinformation, while shedding light on their practices and perceptions around this phenomenon. I have chosen a qualitative perspective to delve into the ways that Mexican college students interact and deal with the growing problem of false news in the current media landscape. Thus, I conducted semi-structured interviews (N = 28) using an elicitation technique, during which participants were exposed to real samples of disinformation content to encourage a conversation around the type of false news that they come across in their daily lives. Results reveal nuances in the ways that college students prefer social media over traditional media, even though they report finding more disinformation in the former. They also show the impact that students’ attitudes and habits have on their relationship with disinformation. Moreover, the study presents evidence that college students critically question disinformation, do not take it at face value, and are not prone to share it. However, findings also highlight differences related to the format in which the false content is presented. For example, TikTok videos were more likely to effectively deceive the viewer, more so than images shared on Facebook. Students also believe that older people are more likely to believe in disinformation, potentially indicating a third-person effect of this content. Lastly, this exploration emphasizes the need to further examine the broader consequences of disinformation and believing in false content, such as a reduced interest in political information