76 research outputs found
Origin and evolution of the News Finds Me perception: Review of theory and effects
Research revolving social media and democracy has exploded. For almost two decades, scholarship has offered new theories, revisited some old ones, and provided empirical evidence that helped cast a strong light on social media effects over peopleâs social life, and democracy at large. Thanks to social media, citizens consume news, express their political views, discuss political matters, and participate in political activities. However, social media also cultivates the dissemination of fake news and misinformation, exposure to hate speech, media fragmentation, and political polarization. In short, social media seems to simultaneously be a springboard for encouraging and undesirable outcomes that foster and challenge democracies alike. One of these phenomena that stems from social media news use is the News Finds Me perception (NFM), which takes place when individuals feel they do not have to actively seeks news any more to be well-informed about public affairs, as they expect to receive relevant news and information by relying on their peers in social media. This article traces back the origin of the theory, its evolution, and the set of effects found in the literature. It also presents guidelines for future research and potential challenges as the scholarship centering on NFM continues to grow
Citizen news content creation: Perceptions about professional journalists and the additive double moderating role of social and traditional media
Since the emergence and growing popularity of digital technologies and social media platforms, the relationship between professional and citizen journalism has been challenging. In recent years, however, this critical relationship has de-escalated due to a growing collaboration in shaping a complemental news repertoire. This study examines how social and traditional news use and usersâ perceptions on professional journalism affect citizensâ news content creation. Based on survey data from Spain, we first find that social media use for news and usersâ positive perceptions on professional journalism predict citizensâ news production behavior. Second, social media use for news and traditional media consumption are explored as additive moderators over the relationship of usersâ perceptions on professional journalism on citizensâ news content creation, showing a positive significant effect. This study contributes to current conversations on the potential symbiotic association between professional and citizens journalism, arguing that citizensâ perceptual appraisals on professional journalism are key in fostering publicâs participation through news content creation
Social media and democracy
Slowly approaching the second quarter of the 21st century, research on social media and its effects over democracy has quickly permeated across various fields in social sciences, particularly political communication. Based on accumulated evidence in this strand of literature, this paper briefly summarizes several established research areas. First, it highlights how social media facilitates individualsâ political expression. Second, it sheds light on how this enhanced communicative behavior has reinvigorated a more participatory society in democracy. Third, it examines social mediaâs democratic deficit mechanisms in regards to stagnant political knowledge acquisition. Finally, the paper offers a theoretical explanation to this lack of knowledge acquisition through the lenses of the ânews-finds-meâ perception theory. Overall, the present manuscript explains specific ways in which social media helps and hinders the advancement of healthy democracies, thereby also providing promising guidelines for future research.Â
Structural Influences on the News Finds Me Perception: Why People Believe They Donât Have to Actively Seek News Anymore
Using data from a two-wave panel survey among 18 countries worldwide, this study investigates the individual- and country-level antecedents of the âNews Finds Meâ perception (NFM). Results show that older, more educated, and individuals belonging to the ethnic majority are less prone to develop the NFM. However, social media (news) use, incidental news exposure, discussion frequency, and group affiliations lead to a higher NFM. In contrast, information elaboration as well as news use online were found to weaken the NFM. Testing various country-level factors, only gross domestic product was found to be negatively related to the NFM. The findings form a theoretical and empirical basis for future studies that aim at investigating news use in todayâs high-choice media environment
Examining the Role of Online Uncivil Discussion and Ideological Extremity on Illegal Protest
In recent years, there has been an increased academic interest revolving around the beneficial or pernicious effects of ideological extremity and (uncivil) political discussion over democracy. For instance, citizensâ ideological predispositions and higher levels of political discussion have been linked with a more active and vibrant political life. In fact, ideological extremity and uncivil discussion foster institutionalized political engagement. However, less explored in the literature remains whether such polarization and uncivil discussions may be related to unlawful political behavior such as illegal protest. This study contends that one of the main drivers of illegal protest behavior lies in online uncivil political discussion, specifically through the normalization and activation of further incivility. We tested this through a two-wave panel data drawn from a diverse US sample and cross-sectional, lagged, and autoregressive regression models. Mediation analysis was also conducted to test whether uncivil online discussion mediated the relationship between frequency of online political discussion and illegal protest engagement. Overall, we found that illegal protest was particularly associated with online uncivil discussion, while ideological extremity and other forms of online and offline discussions seemed to have no effect on unlawful protest over time
The Proliferation of the âNews Finds Meâ Perception Across Societies
Today, people are exposed to vast information flows while online or on social media. This abundance has led some people to believe that they no longer have to actively seek the news to be well informed about public affairs and that important news will find them through social media or other online channels. Recently, academics have offered a first theoretical account, capturing this belief as the ânews finds meâ perception (NFM). Initial studies have been conducted in the U.S. and Austria, indicating deleterious effects between NFM and both traditional news use and political predispositions and behaviors. This study seeks to expand this line of research, exploring the proliferation of NFM in 10 societies around the world. Findings give further insights into the degree of NFM proliferation in diverse contexts. Across societies, NFM is associated with age, social media news use, and other meaningful democratic variables such as political interest, political knowledge, and voting behavior
Social media and democracy
Slowly approaching the second quarter of the 21st century, research on social media and its effects over democracy has quickly permeated across various fields in social sciences, particularly political communication. Based on accumulated evidence in this strand of literature, this paper briefly summarizes several established research areas. First, it highlights how social media facilitates individualsâ political expression. Second, it sheds light on how this enhanced communicative behavior has reinvigorated a more participatory society in democracy. Third, it examines social mediaâs democratic deficit mechanisms in regards to stagnant political knowledge acquisition. Finally, the paper offers a theoretical explanation to this lack of knowledge acquisition through the lenses of the ânews-finds-meâ perception theory. Overall, the present manuscript explains specific ways in which social media helps and hinders the advancement of healthy democracies, thereby also providing promising guidelines for future research
Taking Corrective Action When Exposed to Fake News: The Role of Fake News Literacy
Fake news poses a threat to democracy. The rise of social media and its lax content regulation have facilitated a dynamic environment where mis- and disinformation are spread. However, social media is also the place where false information may be corrected. Initial scholarly efforts begin to highlight what is needed for citizens to take corrective action when exposed to fake news on social media. This study is a further step in that direction by introducing the construct of âfake news media literacyâ. Relying on survey data from the U.S. (N = 1338), we show that news media literacy in terms of media locus of control and need for cognition might not be sufficient to take corrective action; individuals rather need to develop specific fake news literacy. Implications for media literacy initiatives are discussed
Construyendo Capital Social: cĂłmo las noticias y la fuerza de los vĂnculos en la discusiĂłn polĂtica fomentan la reciprocidad
Reciprocity, a social principle that emerges in non-negotiated, inter-personal exchange, is arguably a key construct in generating social capital. However, little research has made this empirical connection. Building on an Orientation-Stimulus-Reasoning-Orientation-Response model, this study advances a theoretical and empirical model in which news use and political discussion tie strength contributes to the development of reciprocity and social capital. Drawing on two-wave panel data, results suggest that reciprocity is a strong predictor of social capital. News media use also directly predicts reciprocity, as well as political discussion with both strong and weak ties, and social capital. Additionally, discussion with weak ties and reciprocity mediate the relationship between news use and social capital.La reciprocidad, un principio social que emerge en los intercambios no negociados entre personas, es posiblemente un constructo clave en la generaciĂłn de capital social. Sin embargo, pocos estudios han abordado de manera empĂrica esta conexiĂłn. Sobre la base de un modelo OrientaciĂłn-EstĂmulo-Razonamiento-OrientaciĂłn-Respuesta, esta investigaciĂłn presenta una propuesta teĂłrica y empĂrica en la que la exposiciĂłn a noticias y la fuerza de los vĂnculos en la discusiĂłn polĂtica contribuyen al desarrollo de la reciprocidad y del capital social. Tras el anĂĄlisis de los datos de un estudio de panel realizado en dos olas, los resultados sugieren que la reciprocidad es un fuerte predictor del capital social. AdemĂĄs, la exposiciĂłn a noticias de los medios de comunicaciĂłn se relaciona de manera directa con la reciprocidad; con la discusiĂłn polĂtica, tanto con vĂnculos fuertes como dĂ©biles; y con el capital social. Por otro lado, la discusiĂłn con vĂnculos dĂ©biles y la reciprocidad funcionan como mediadores de la relaciĂłn entre exposiciĂłn a noticias y capital social
Effects of the NewsĂą FindsĂą Me Perception in Communication: Social Media Use Implications for News Seeking and Learning About Politics
With social media at the forefront of todayâs media context, citizens may perceive they donât need to actively seek news because they will be exposed to news and remain wellĂą informed through their peers and social networks. We label this the Ăą newsĂą findsĂą me perception,Ăą and test its implications for news seeking and political knowledge: Ăą newsĂą findsĂą me effects.Ăą U.S. panelĂą survey data show that individuals who perceive news will find them are less likely to use traditional news sources and are less knowledgeable about politics over time. Although the newsĂą findsĂą me perception is positively associated with news exposure on social media, this behavior doesnât facilitate political learning. These results suggest news continues to enhance political knowledge best when actively sought.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137553/1/jcc412185.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137553/2/jcc412185_am.pd
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