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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic initiated a great global crisis, during which media influenced society and social interactions affected media use. Researchers from various research fields have studied the pandemic both globally and locally. This study aims to summarize the research on COVID-19 pandemic within communication studies, taking into account 358 articles published in SJR best ranked journals in 2020–2022. Methods: The study uses both qualitative and quantitative methods. Using manual coding and qualitative content analysis, we investigate articles' distribution according to journals, time, accessibility (either open, free or restricted) and methodological approaches. We also provide a qualitative summary of trending research themes. Using quantitative social network analysis (SNA) we present the distribution of institutions and countries in articles' affiliations, and the collaboration network at institutional and country level. Results: Results show an in-time increase of COVID-related publications. Articles were affiliated with 490 institutions from 68 countries, with the USA having the greatest representation. There was an underrepresentation of African and South American countries, which reflects the core-periphery challenge in knowledge production. The network analysis revealed that very few of possible connections were actually achieved. There is an observable trend of using quantitative methods. A growth on the gap between qualitative and quantitative studies was observed each year. More than a half of articles using qualitative methods were published in restricted access. Our qualitative summary of the addressed topics and main findings in articles related to COVID-19, media and society revealed a wide research interest in pandemics impacts on news consumption, media use and journalism, as well as infodemic, conspiracy narratives, science mistrust and discrimination and inequalities increased by the pandemic. Conclusion: To provide a wider perspective on the worldwide impact of pandemic, more studies from underrepresented countries are needed. The collaboration between institutions and countries requires strengthening. Qualitative studies were conducted considerably less than quantitative studies and they were usually published in restricted access, which leads to a methodological gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to the analysis of Russian Muslims’ communications in social networks. I show a unique mode of interdependence of online and offline, which takes shape in the special context of the dominant discourse of traditional Islam and the securitization of Islamic activism. The construction of “right” and “wrong” Islam determines the special structure of media consumption of Russian Muslims and the content of the political agenda. In addition to verbalized political agendas, I describe the phenomenon of an “unspoken” political agenda hidden beyond religious messages and identified precisely only through background by actors transmitting it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subscription to multiple subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) services, known as multi-homing, is increasingly prevalent. This research explores the relationship between multi-homing and traditional media consumption and identifies the key factors that predict multi-homing tendencies among SVOD users. We analyzed data from 2019 to 2021 across the U.S., Canada, China, Japan, Germany, and France to investigate the impact of SVOD usage on legacy media viewing time, and then explored the predictors of multi-homing behaviors. Our findings indicate that multi-homing users are more inclined to consume content on legacy media platforms, such as terrestrial or cable television, compared with single-homing users. Critical differentiators between multi-homing and single-homing users include demographic profiles, lifestyle preferences, content expectations, and usage habits, particularly in terms of account sharing and primary devices for content consumption. These results are crucial for both SVOD and traditional media providers, as they offer strategic guidance for companies to effectively operate in various international markets. Such a comprehensive analysis of multi-homing behavior also offers a new perspective on the dynamics of global media consumption. Plain language summary: This study delves into the growing trend of "multi-homing" in media consumption, where individuals subscribe to multiple online streaming platforms alongside their traditional TV viewing. We sought to uncover who these multi-homers are and how their behavior impacts their engagement with conventional television. Over 3 years, we surveyed participants across six countries: the USA, Canada, China, Japan, Germany, and France. Our analysis reveals that multi-homing is not just about having more choices; it's about a shift in how people engage with media. Those who subscribe to several streaming services also tend to watch more traditional TV, suggesting that rather than replacing old with new, digital and traditional media consumption can coexist and complement each other. Demographically, younger individuals, those with higher education levels, and people with greater household incomes are more inclined to be multi-homers. This group values diversity in their content and expects a high-quality viewing experience. Lifestyle choices, content expectations, and viewing habits also play significant roles in their propensity to subscribe to multiple services. Our findings offer valuable insights for streaming service providers and traditional TV broadcasters, highlighting the importance of understanding viewer preferences and consumption patterns in the evolving media landscape. For academia, this research contributes to the broader discourse on digital media's impact on traditional media consumption, offering a nuanced understanding of viewer behavior in the age of streaming services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A body of experimental research has aimed to investigate processes underlying dream formation by examining the effects of a range of pre-sleep stimuli and events on subsequent dream content. Given its ever-growing presence and salience in people's everyday lives, pre-sleep media consumption stands out as a key variable that could influence people's dreams. We conducted a scoping review to evaluate the experimental evidence of the effects of pre-sleep exposure to visual media on dream content. A systematic search on PubMed, PsycInfo, and Web of Science using terms related to moving visual media and dreams yielded 29 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Overall, we found modest yet varied effects of pre-sleep exposure to visual media on dream content, with rates of stimulus-related incorporation ranging from 3% to 43% for REM dream reports, 4% to 30% for NREM sleep mentation reports, and between 11% and 35% for home dream reports. Our review highlights the large methodological heterogeneity and gaps across studies, the general difficulty in influencing dream content using pre-sleep exposure to visual media, and suggests promising venues for future research to advance our understanding of how and why digital media may impact people's dreams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Now over a decade since the influential paper Understanding Social Media Logic by van Dijck and Poell was published, the total number, sheer variety and penetration of social media apps in everyday media consumption and production behaviour has exploded. This poses risks and opportunities for legacy media corporations as well as scholars attempting to make sense of the various affordances each individual social media platform offers to facilitate the production, dissemination and consumption of novel types of news content. Drawing on insights from the articles published in this special issue on the characteristics, constraints and contingencies of social media journalism, we seek to advance scholarship by challenging and expanding existing frameworks. We synthesise the current state of research and propose a research agenda for peers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The article analyzes up to what extent the supraordinate identity made up by the classic match, influences fans' consumption intention of media and official merchandise, through a justifiability mediation, while assessing a moderation effect that an identity threat has on the proposed model. Method: The phenomenon was tested through structural equation modeling on a 439 fanbase sample. Participants are fans from both of the clubs who play the Classic match of their league and were randomly allocated into a threat circumstance or a control situation in order to test the identity threat moderation effect. Results: Findings suggest that this supraordinate identity has a positive impact on media and merchandise consumption intentions, while legitimacy and permeability forecast its existence. These results argue that fans from both teams experience an identity threat either when their club is under menace and when their rival is. Conclusion: This is the first article examining a supraordinate identity fabricated by salient rivalries, which is counterintuitive, and how these individuals experience an identity threat when their rival is at risk. The Classic denotes an important marketing instrument, where leagues and clubs can develop stories and rivalries to attract broader audiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data collected in the seventh wave of the World Values Survey, this article examines how traditional and new media consumption have had very different effects on attitudes towards homosexuality in Taiwan and China. It further explores how such differences reflect each society's media democracy. A historical analysis of the democratic movements and their relations to media freedom in Taiwan and China is presented, which provides the research background and theoretical foundation for our assumptions as part of the literature review. The ensuing statistical analysis verifies these assumptions in depth. Our findings show that the effect of new media is generally positive in both societies, whereas that of traditional media varies: it is very negative in China yet statistically insignificant in Taiwan. Based on these results, we argue that the more democratised the media space, the more likely it is to promote tolerance of homosexuality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Extent and type of use of virtual social networks by the employees of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Methods: This research is descriptive and its survey method, questionnaire measurement tool and data collection method is a combination of library and field method. The statistical population of the research is made up of the employees of the headquarters of the Mustafafan Foundation of the Islamic Revolution, who are employed in the main building of the foundation in Tehran in 1401 and include 270 people. In the field survey, 159 people from among the employees of this organization were selected according to Morgan's table using simple random sampling method and answered the media consumption questionnaire. The validity of the research tool has been confirmed through face and content validity, and its reliability has been confirmed by calculating the Cronbach's alpha coefficient above 0.80. Results: The results of the research show that 29.4% of employees use social networks for one to two hours and 26.6% for two to three hours a day. 2% of employees have been using Telegram for more than 5 years. 34.9% of the studied employees visit Telegram every few days and 7.9% more than 10 times a day. The studied employees mostly use Telegram to receive news and the lowest rank is related to content production with an average of 1.91. 77% of employees visit Instagram regularly. The findings showed that employees mostly use Instagram pages to receive various trainings and the lowest rank is related to content production with an average of 2.09. 74.8% (119 people) of the studied employees did not answer the question about which people do you follow on Twitter, but in total, the highest statistics related to personalities or social-cultural user accounts (10.7%) and the lowest related to scientific personalities (3.1 percent). The studied employees mostly use Twitter to share personal experiences of others, and the lowest rating is related to sharing personal experiences with an average of 2.14. 47.7% of employees have been using WhatsApp between 6 months and 1 year and 3.9% have been using WhatsApp for more than 5 years. 36.2% of employees use WhatsApp every hour and 6.3% once a day. Conclusions: The studied employees mostly use WhatsApp to communicate with family, relatives, friends and colleagues, and the lowest rating is related to content production with an average of 2.29. Only 12 people answered the question of being on YouTube, which indicates that they probably use this social network less. Among the studied social networks, the employees mostly use WhatsApp (average 2.91 on a measurement scale of 1 to 5) and the lowest rating is related to the use of Facebook, with an average of 1.59. In total, "the amount and type of social network use" and in general, the use of social networks by Mustafafan Foundation employees with a high average of 2.5 is close to the middle level of 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals are increasingly sharing their consumption activities on social media platforms. However, the inferences people draw from consumption posts are understudied. Three studies showed that observers infer more self‐presentational motives and less self‐expressive motives when they see others post their luxury (vs. nonluxury) consumption on social media. The attributions of more self‐presentational motives and less self‐expressive motives lead observers to perceive the poster as inauthentic and undermine the observers' interpersonal interest in the poster. The negative effects of posting luxury consumption are attenuated when the post content emphasizes competencies (vs. wealth). This work contributes theoretically to the research on self, signaling, and social inferences. The current findings have practical implications for social media users and marketers of luxury products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last two decades, the widespread adoption of social media has fundamentally transformed our media consumption habits. This study examines the role of the latest influential network, TikTok, in this transformation. In recent years, TikTok has become a trendsetter in the social media market, which means that the platform significantly influences the direction of development in this sector. Therefore, it is worthwhile to study the platform’s operation in detail to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the future trajectory of social networks. The text discusses four key aspects: the new forms of social media sites and the operational principles of the For You algorithm; the widespread adoption of the short video format; the use of social media platforms as search engines; and the changes observed in news consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a long time in Russia, women's glossy magazines have had a significant impact on the socialization of women, shaping their lifestyle and gender identity. They not only met the needs of women, but also defined them. The study examines and evaluates the changing trends in the behavior of media consumers in the digital age. The main focus is on analyzing the reasons why young women prefer websites and blogs to traditional magazines. Because of this we need some changes in media educational activities. The article tests the hypothesis that nowadays modern women's magazines, whose models were created abroad, do not take into account the real interests of the local audience, which affects the media consumption of such press by young women. Also the critical thinking skills of young women were checked. This article will examine the change in young women’s attitudes towards gender-oriented periodicals and mass media, and the transformation of their priorities in choosing women's magazines and websites. Methods of media consumption are changing, but the level of media literacy is still low – the young women prefer the entertainment content and some of them think that such information is important. Creating media literacy courses and course about women’s press (it’s studied by journalism students) we need to pay attention to this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Media consumption by young people has traditionally been receiving much attention within Russian science. However, scholars rarely analyze various aspects of political dimension of media practices widely spread among young people. In this regard, the purpose of the study was to analyze the influence exerted by media consumption on the nature of modern youth political socialization. The article presents a brief overview of the latest research on media practices of modern Russian youth, highlights the features and trends of media consumption by the “digital” generation, i.e. personalization of consumed content, priority of online forms of information dissemination, “situationality” and ritualization of news consumption, a high level of technical literacy, an increase in the scale of digital escapism, multi-screen communication, etc. The main attention is paid to the importance of media consumption by young people during their political socialization. Distinctive properties of media and cyber socialization are highlighted, and their role in shaping the attitude of young people to events occurring within the country and abroad is shown. Specific practical recommendations are formulated on the possibilities of correcting media practices and transforming media consumption by young people in order to form more balanced and objective assessments of political reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is inconclusive evidence for the effects of various leisure activities on attention performance in children. The literature reports inconsistent associations between activities such as physical activities or media use. To date, no study has thoroughly examined the various factors influencing attentional performance in a larger cohort of healthy children. This study aims to close this research gap. Methods: From 2018 to 2019, the Leipzig School Nutrition Study collected data from 1215 children and their families. The children report their dietary behavior (using CoCu- Questionnaire), especially their participation in school lunch and their breakfast habits, through a paper questionnaire. Furthermore, attention performance was assessed using a validated test (FAIR-2) at school. Data on physical activity, media consumption, family eating habits and socio-economic status (SES) were collected from parents using questionnaires. Associations between attention and influencing factors were estimated using hierarchical linear regression. Analyses were adjusted for age, SES, and school type. Results: Attending upper secondary schools (ßadj= 23.6, p < 0.001) and having a higher SES (ß= 1.28, p < 0.001) was associated with higher attention performance. Children doing leisure-time sports (ßadj= 4.18, p = 0.046) or reading books for at least one hour/weekday showed better attention performance (ßadj= 3.8, p = 0.040). Attention performance was also better in children having no electronic devices in the bedroom (ßadj= 13.0, p = 0.005) and in children whose parents limited their children's Internet access (ßadj= 5.2, p = 0.012). We did not find any association between nutritional habits and attention performance. Conclusions: We found that fostering modifiable habits such as reading and physical activity could enhance attention performance. These findings have substantial implications for the development of prevention and intervention programs that aim to improve attention in schoolchildren. It is important to note, however, that social status as a hardly modifiable factor also impacts attention performance. Therefore, interventions should address personal habits in a systemic approach considering the child's social status. Trial registration: The study is retrospectively registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00017317, registration: 05-29-2019). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited research has been conducted on the regulation of light quality on heterotrophy in in vitro-grown potato plantlets. Here, we investigated the effect of light quality on photosynthetic and heterotrophic abilities as well as microtuber formation and growth of potato plantlets (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Shepody). Potato plantlets pre-cultivated under white light for 30 days were then transferred to grow under blue (B), green (G), red (R), yellow (Y), and white (W) lights, and parameters including dry weight, photosynthetic pigment, medium solute consumption, δ13C value, root activity, and sucrose transport (SUT) gene expression of these plantlets were measured. The results showed that B, G, and W were conducive to the rapid induction of microtubers, while R, and especially Y, delayed microtuber formation. Higher photosynthetic ability was observed in the W treatment, whereas the opposite effect was seen in the monochromatic light treatments. Microtuber growth was primarily dependent on heterotrophy, and B was conducive to microtuber growth. The delay in microtuber formation was related to the high expression of StSUT4 in the root, and better microtuber growth was associated with higher root activity, more medium solute consumption, and a higher expression level of StSUT1 in the roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most online media consumption is not driven by a desire to seek out news and politics. However, the public may still encounter politics because it arises organically in communities devoted to non-political subjects. This study examines the potential of popular reality television online discussion forums to serve as online third spaces and stimulate political discussion due to the natural connections that audiences make between the cast members and "real life" in reality-based programming. Based on a quantitative analysis of political comments made to reality television subreddits and a survey of visitors to a popular subreddit focused on The Bachelor television show, the findings not only demonstrate the ability of entertainment-focused online communities to expose a broad segment of the public to political talk, but also point to the obstacles in promoting political discussion that is simultaneously enjoyable, informative, and tolerant of diverse viewpoints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amid widespread skepticism about news media actors and journalistic practices, questions about citizens' use of and dependency upon mainstream news media remain ripe for investigation. This research is designed to deepen an understanding of the concept of Perceived News Media Importance (PNMI) and consider it as a factor undergirding contemporary newspaper use. To this end, this study draws on the frameworks of uses and gratifications (U&G) and media system dependency theory for orienting an understanding of PNMI and its role in motivating newspaper use. Furthermore, based on the theoretical assumption that individuals' various needs bear a capacity to shape their perceptions of media, Need for Evidence, and Need for Orientation were modeled herein as antecedents to PNMI. Analyses of data from two surveys—the first conducted in 2019 (Study 1: N = 1,077) and, the second, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 (Study 2: N = 546)—confirm that PNMI not only positively predicts newspaper use but also mediates the effects of its hypothesized antecedents on newspaper use. The findings of the study highlight the utility of PNMI and related concepts for understanding citizens' media consumption behaviors in a rapidly changing and uncertain media environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differential media treatment of climate change, including conservative media's tendency to reject the anthropogenic climate change scientific consensus, has reinforced polarized perceptions of climate change. Studies have found differences in coverage patterns and in perceptions among those relying more heavily on conservative rather than liberal or moderate media. This scholarship has been limited by narrow measurements of media exposure, climate-related outcomes, and the mechanism of effects. We analyzed nationally representative US data (N = 1,181) using measures that included not only reported use of mainstream print, cable, and social media captured in past research, but also science programming, as well as far-right, alternative-health, and Christian media. On average, participants relied more heavily on centrist and liberal media, followed by Fox News and social media. The results corroborate findings associating exposure to centrist media with pro-climate attitudes, and conservative media, including Fox News with the opposite views. Use of far-right outlets was associated with the lowest levels of belief in anthropogenic climate change, perceptions of personal threat, and support for climate-friendly policy. Reliance on science media was associated with pro-climate views. Most associations were mediated via perceptions of science and scientists (using the Factors Associated with Self-Presentation of Science, FASS scale). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the dynamics of ideological party competition within the context of the 2023 Turkish elections. Focusing on the role and appeal of ideology, it provides insights into the changing landscape of ideological competition during this pivotal electoral period. The study examines whether ideology operates as a guiding principle for Turkish voters grappling with intricate economic and social issues. Despite acknowledging that economic concerns may not singularly determine ideological positions, the paper highlights the enduring significance of ideology in shaping perceptions. The transformative nature of the 2023 elections, marked by the emergence of new parties and electoral alliances, further underscores the relevance of ideology. Additionally, the article assesses the appeal of ideological competition by investigating voters who cannot position parties or themselves on the ideology scale. This analysis reveals that factors such as media consumption, education, gender, and political efficacy significantly influence the ideological appeal in the 2023 elections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper employs digital ethnographic methods to explore the Facebook fan group for the popular podcast My Favorite Murder. We argue that the My Favorite Murder podcast and Facebook group, while providing a potentially unique feminist online space for its members in its early days, quickly devolved into a toxic space rife with conflict and ultimately destroyed by white-centred feminism and white supremacy. We explore failed gatekeeping practices in relation to other Facebook podcast fan groups that have met a similar demise. Finally, we question whether truly inclusive anti-racist feminist spaces can exist in capitalistic models of media production and consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Party identification is an important predictor of voting preference, but because a growing percentage of voters do not express any party identification, alternative ways to anticipate voting preferences are required. Partisan slants in voters' media consumption might offer a relevant proxy. With method triangulation, the current study explores whether media consumption prior to elections can predict voting preferences among independents. Depending on the media outlets adopted by voters and their partisan skew, as detected by Bert machine learning models, the authors calculate an overall partisan slant for each voter's political information consumption. Data from a nationwide panel survey conducted in Taiwan affirm that their media diet "color" in 2019 can predict independent voters' choices in 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The media has become a central aspect of everyday life, providing information and entertainment, and serving as a basis for citizen consumption. The content that appears on the internet today is the result of numerous experiences accumulated throughout the history of media, particularly in the last four decades of technological and social development. The following text analyses how the hybridisation of analogue and digital technologies affects audience consumption patterns and expectations, leading to a more flexible relationship with the media. This study employed a theoretical examination of documentary sources, including texts, articles, and digital materials. The findings indicate a shift from simple, vertical, and linear communication systems to networks that enable horizontal and personalised consumption. The conclusion drawn is that technology has redefined structures and concepts, with the smartphone serving as the focal point of media consumption. Living culture is shaped by technology, because the message, more than the specific content, is the meaning, recognition, and exchange of a world that needs to be re-thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

YouTube, one of the prominent online video-sharing platforms, plays a pivotal role in modern media consumption, making it crucial to understand and predict the view-count dynamics of its videos. The viewership of YouTube videos can be influenced by three distinct sources: subscribers, word-of-mouth, and recommendation systems. This paper presents a comprehensive modelling framework that takes into account the view-count obtained through these three sources, assuming that a single view-count can only be attributed to one of these sources at any given time. We investigate the interplay among these sources in shaping YouTube video view-count dynamics, proposing a novel approach to model and analyse their impact on video popularity. Additionally, the VIKOR multi-criteria decision-making method is employed to validate and rank our proposed models. This study's findings deepen our understanding of the intricate mechanisms within the YouTube ecosystem, offering insights for predicting and managing video viewership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genre of reincarnation isekai anime, wherein a protagonist dies in their original world only to be reborn in a fantastical one, has grown significantly in global appeal. Yet, this genre's expansion also normalizes controversial themes such as mental health issues, sexual and violent content, and the sexualisation of virtual minors. This article employs a data-driven approach, analysing user-generated coding of themes and properties from English-speaking fan sites, to critically examine three emergent and interconnected dimensions: the success of series deemed 'trashy', the complexities surrounding sexual themes, and the rising appeal of the 'zero-to-hero' motif in a post-pandemic world. The findings reveal a paradoxical allure of 'trashy' but popular content, complex ethical dilemmas surrounding sexual themes, and an increased resonance of empowerment motifs resulting from the pandemic. These discoveries provoke renewed discussions on anime's role in shaping and reflecting societal values and raise questions about regulatory challenges in a globalized media setting. The study confirms the need for more nuanced understandings of the genre's growing global influence, particularly outside of Japan, and calls for continued research to delve deeper into its complexities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rise of technology, social media consumption by young children has become part of normal life. The ease of fabricating an online persona also means children become accessible by predators, placing them at risk of exploitation including the production of child abuse material, online grooming and child sexual abuse. The content uploaded on social media is difficult to monitor enabling children to be exposed to potentially harmful material. Online safety for children needs to be prioritised and parents made aware of the resources available to them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors quantify the relative importance of beliefs-based suspense and surprise measures in the entertainment preferences of viewers of Twitch, the largest online video game streaming platform. Using detailed viewership and game statistics data from broadcasts of tournaments of a popular video game, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, the authors compute measures of suspense and surprise for a rational viewer. They then develop and estimate a stylized utility model that underlies viewers' decisions to both join and leave a game stream. The method used enables the authors to causally identify the direct effect of suspense and surprise on viewers' utilities, separating it from other sources of entertainment value (e.g., team skill) and from indirect/supply-side effects (e.g., word of mouth, advertising). The authors show that suspense enters a viewer's utility but find little evidence of the effect of surprise. The magnitudes imply that a one-standard-deviation increase in round-level suspense decreases the probability of leaving a stream by.27 percentage points. The authors find no detectable effect of suspense and surprise on the decision to join a stream, ruling out indirect effects. Variation in suspense levels explains 9.2% of the observed range of the evolution of a stream's viewership. The authors use these estimates to evaluate counterfactual game and platform designs. They show that historical updates to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive game rules have increased tournament viewership by 4.1%, that rules can be further modified to increase viewership, and that alternative platform designs that inform joining users of games' scores will additionally increase overall viewership by 1.3%. Together, these results illustrate the value of the authors' method as a general tool that content producers and platforms can use to evaluate and design media products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Journal of Sport Communication has issued a correction notice for an article titled "Mediated Sports Money: An Analysis of the Relationship Between Sports Media Consumption and College Students' Perceived Financial Understanding." The correction addresses an error in the article's second paragraph, where it incorrectly stated that Jon Rahm's contract with LIV Golf is worth $500, instead of the correct amount of $500 million. The correction was made on March 18, 2024, and the authors apologize for the mistake. [Extracted from the article]

ABSTRACTRecent attempts have been made by Network Rail and the British Transport Police to discourage young people from committing ‘railway trespass’ – the dangerous act of illegally gaining access to live railway tracks. Whilst public safety campaigns have a long history in the UK and beyond, little research has been dedicated to a better understanding of how young people engage with this media. This article reflects on Evaluating Trespass Prevention (2021), a project which involved a small group of Further Education (FE) Media Students as co-researchers exploring railway trespass prevention. The young co-researchers co-produced a new evaluation toolkit, as well as creatively exploring themes of railway trespass through documentary interviewing and filmmaking. Presenting our critical reflections on the process of working with young co-researchers on this project, we argue for the broader adoption of an adaptable and iterative approach to meaningful engagement with young people in relation to contemporary social issues.

Does the internet facilitate everyday public deliberation? Previous research on this question has largely focused on specific aspects, such as online news media diets or political discussions on social media. However, increasingly complex media environments are composed of different arenas with different respective potential for democracy. While previous work extensively dealt with the quality of political discussion online, it is a necessary but overlooked step, to consider the upstream features of digital infrastructure and usage. Using digital trace data from Germany, this study maps out which websites are relevant for online public discourse, introduces a measure of deliberative potential along six dimensions (information, communication, participation, connectivity, inclusivity and heterogeneity), and explores different types of websites alongside high level usage patterns. Besides a class of mainstream informational hubs, a class of quality information providers that includes most established public broadcasting sites was found. A third class of niche online forums hosts political discussions among more tightly-knit online communities, supporting previous findings of incidental exposure to political content online. While the mainstream information hubs in the sample attract a much larger volume of clicks, users spend relatively more time consuming political information on quality information sites as well as on niche online forums to engage with politics online. This project takes a more holistic perspective of the diverse ecosystem of online deliberation, while presenting a first quantitative exploration of a deliberative system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the role of gender in the relationship between sustainability information on social media platforms and sustainable consumption intentions. The study assesses the influence of several information-related characteristics, such as usefulness, credibility, and quality, on the behavior of social media users in general and on purchase intention in particular. Information quality, usefulness, and source credibility have favorable correlations, according to data from an online survey of 285 customers. In the relationship between information acceptance and sustainable purchasing behavior, gender proved to be an essential moderator. The results give us a better understanding of the factors driving sustainable consumption intentions in the digital age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, stemming from two doctoral theses, aims to comprehend the influence of the family, work, and religion institutions in the identification of preferential meanings--frames that readers employ to connect with a message--in the reception of journalistic narratives. Drawing from biographical fragments--memories triggered during in-depth interviews--gathered through a common life history question in both theses, the relevance of these three institutions in the daily lives of 34 participants is discussed. The results indicate that these reference communities are identified in life stories through: a) spontaneous association; b) stimulated association; c) spontaneous dissociation; and d) stimulated dissociation. Through these analytical categories, it possible to identify the foundations of cultural mediations, dimensions in which meanings originate and are shaped through media consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Do Latinos who consume more Spanish language media relative to English language media express greater political trust and efficacy? While research produces increasing evidence that variations in English language media content shape core democratic attitudes like political trust, and that Spanish language media shapes acculturation and issue attitudes among Latinos, research has not explored whether broader linguistic media environments shape attitudes fundamental to democracy. Given revolutionary changes the English language media environment, and stark contrasts between English and Spanish language media environments in terms of fragmentation, ideological and partisan news reporting, narratives portraying Latinos as a "threat," and Latino-oriented and affirming content, relative consumption of Spanish or English language news may come with important implications. Bilingual Latinos who consume varying mixtures of media from these environments offer a unique population for exploring these relationships. Building off studies relating patterns of Latino acculturation and Spanish language media to a variety of attitudinal effects, we explore the relationship between linguistic media consumption and political trust and efficacy using three unique datasets: the 2008 CMPS, 2016 CMPS, and our own survey conducted in 2021. We then leverage unique variables in the 2016 CMPS to explore whether Latino trust and efficacy relate directly to relative consumption of Spanish language media or indirectly to Spanish language media through recall of Latino-oriented content and induced emotional reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of media and digital competences among the new generations is a requirement for their democratic participation in today's technological society. This article takes an approach to young people's perception of their own media competence, based on their comments on the use and sense of consumption of social media. The results of 14 focus groups (N= 83) of young people from three Spanish regions between 12 and 18 years of age are presented. Based on two theoretical models, a content analysis considering gender and age was carried out using Atlas.Ti software. The results indicate a greater presence of the Interaction dimension among girls and of Production and Dissemination among boys, and in general a familiarisation with preventive measures on safety on the networks and a review of the media diet, up to the age of 12-13. The adolescents themselves identify how, from this age onwards, the use of social networks is amplified and point out difficulties in self-management well into the university stage (18 years old). Although the participants show a high level of knowledge of social media marketing strategies and influencers' "authenticity" tactics, they recognise that they are driven by the search for entertainment and a need for approval from their peers in the digital space. Based on the results, we identify the need for further research in the period between 12-13 and 14-16 years of age in relation to the paradox between adolescents' conviction of their expertise in certain dimensions of media competence and their poorly reflective and critical consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of media and digital competences among the new generations is a requirement for their democratic participation in today's technological society. This article takes an approach to young people's perception of their own media competence, based on their comments on the use and sense of consumption of social media. The results of 14 focus groups (N= 83) of young people from three Spanish regions between 12 and 18 years of age are presented. Based on two theoretical models, a content analysis considering gender and age was carried out using Atlas.Ti software. The results indicate a greater presence of the Interaction dimension among girls and of Production and Dissemination among boys, and in general a familiarisation with preventive measures on safety on the networks and a review of the media diet, up to the age of 12-13. The adolescents themselves identify how, from this age onwards, the use of social networks is amplified and point out difficulties in self-management well into the university stage (18 years old). Although the participants show a high level of knowledge of social media marketing strategies and influencers' "authenticity" tactics, they recognise that they are driven by the search for entertainment and a need for approval from their peers in the digital space. Based on the results, we identify the need for further research in the period between 12-13 and 14-16 years of age in relation to the paradox between adolescents' conviction of their expertise in certain dimensions of media competence and their poorly reflective and critical consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the revised bioecological model, we examined whether three broad factors predict adolescents' nonacademic media use, with the exception of TV: (a) process factors that highlight a child's fundamental and proximal interactional activities (e.g., eating meals together); (b) person factors (e.g., age, sex, ethnicity); and (c) contextual factors that delineate a child's immediate physical and social environments (such as family, school, and community). By analyzing a nationally representative cohort (N = 22,454) of U.S. parents/primary caregivers who completed surveys regarding their children, we identified specific process-person-contextual factors that predict adolescents' nonacademic screen time. Factors that positively predict screen time include, e.g., age, sex, ethnicity, BMI, anxiety. Those that negatively predict screen time include, e.g., sleep, physical activity, father's physical health, mother's mental health, eating meals together, sharing ideas with parents, the child's active participation in school activities and community service, school safety, and emotional support for parents. Further, we found one age-related developmental process; the beneficial impact of meal sharing on media use was more pronounced in younger adolescents. This underscores the importance of exploring not only individual characteristics but also the broader process and contextual factors that shape adolescents' nonacademic media use. Prior research on adolescents' screen time primarily examined risk or protective factors at the individual level. In contrast, understanding the nuanced interplay among individual, familial, and broader contextual factors in shaping nonacademic media consumption is limited. We identified a comprehensive but understudied group of process, personal, and contextual factors and their intricate interactions that are pivotal in adolescents' media use. We also made critical theoretical contributions regarding family functioning in the promotion of healthy media practices. Our results have important implications for effective and holistic interventions that support healthy media-use practices in adolescents. These include the promotion of adolescents' self-regulatory skills, healthy family lifestyles at home, and diverse activities at school and within the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Index.Comunicación is the property of Index.comunicacion and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, scientists around the globe have engaged in science communication to an unprecedented degree to convey first-hand epidemiological knowledge and information on preventive measures. The present work is aimed at empirically investigating the impact of direct exposure to scientists as compared to general COVID-19-related media consumption (N = 698) on central cognitive, affective, and behavioral variables, based on the extended parallel process model (EPPM) and its adaptations. A segment of the sample comprises individuals recruited independently, while others were sourced from an online panel. Importantly, this study sample was conducted at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results revealed that direct exposure to scientists positively affected recipients' knowledge and self-efficacy. General media consumption, by contrast, positively affected perceived threat as well as fear and uncertainty. Both sources positively affected the adherence to protective measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread dissemination of misinformation on social media is a serious threat to global health. To a large extent, it is still unclear who actually shares health-related misinformation deliberately and accidentally. We conducted a large-scale online survey among 5,307 Facebook users in six sub-Saharan African countries, in which we collected information on sharing of fake news and truth discernment. We estimate the magnitude and determinants of deliberate and accidental sharing of misinformation related to three vaccines (HPV, polio, and COVID-19). In an OLS framework we relate the actual sharing of fake news to several socioeconomic characteristics (age, gender, employment status, education), social media consumption, personality factors and vaccine-related characteristics while controlling for country and vaccine-specific effects. We first show that actual sharing rates of fake news articles are substantially higher than those reported from developed countries and that most of the sharing occurs accidentally. Second, we reveal that the determinants of deliberate vs. accidental sharing differ. While deliberate sharing is related to being older and risk-loving, accidental sharing is associated with being older, male, and high levels of trust in institutions. Lastly, we demonstrate that the determinants of sharing differ by the adopted measure (intentions vs. actual sharing) which underscores the limitations of commonly used intention-based measures to derive insights about actual fake news sharing behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the article is to analyse modern culture in the aspect of digital consumption of mass media in the conditions of dynamic changes in the media space. The research methodology is based on a variety of theoretical, empirical, and structural-functional methods. A wide range of approaches were used, including systemic, comparative-historical and semiotic analyses, culturological and activity approaches. The conclusions of the study summarise the main theoretical propositions, in particular: the article carries out a theoretical and methodological analysis of modern approaches to the scientific exploration of media culture and media consumption; the culture of media consumption was analysed from the perspective of dynamic changes in mass communication means; the transformation of the culture of media consumption of digital content in the new conditions of its creation and interaction in this area is interpreted; digital content consumption practices based on visualisation priorities (screen culture) were revealed; attention is focused on the peculiarities and dependence of the culture of digital content consumption on media literacy and media competence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate how inequalities in political media use develop throughout election campaigns, and in particular whether social media use helps counterbalance traditional news consumption gaps. Using a four-wave individual-level panel survey of the Norwegian 2017 national election campaign, we run a series of latent growth models to investigate whether differences in news consumption based on gender, age, education, and political interest increase or decrease during campaigns. We find that news consumption gaps are either stable or converge throughout the campaign. Importantly, social media provides political information to those groups that use traditional media channels the least and thereby reduce overall gaps in political media consumption. In this way, election campaigns, to some extent, equalize inequalities in political news consumption when it matters the most. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Understanding the specific strategies individuals use to cope with their suicidal thoughts may have implications for suicide prevention. This study developed a classification system of coping strategies and applied this system to individual coping behaviors documented in a safety planning intervention smartphone application called Beyond Now. Method: 725 Beyond Now safety planning app users, aged 16 to over 55 years, entered coping strategies that were used to develop a classification system through content analysis. Entries were either user generated or selected from a list of suggested coping strategies, and 2960 entries were classified using the system. Results: Our classification system featured 11 distinct descriptive categories, with media consumption being the most popular coping strategy among Beyond Now users, followed by relaxation and self‐care activities, exercise and creative activities. More than half (57%) of the entries were suggested coping strategies with the remainder being user‐generated entries (43%). Conclusion: A wide range of coping strategies were entered into safety plans, with activities that aim to either distract or provide reductions in emotional arousal common. Future research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of the coping strategies listed in safety plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research aimed to explore the role of media consumption, governmental distrust, and psychological vulnerability in predicting the practical well-being of university students and healthcare professionals during COVID-19. Two correlational studies were conducted. Study 1 was conducted with 411 university students (206 Women; 205 men), and it was conducted during the first lockdown in Pakistan. Study 2 was conducted during the thigh-intensity phase he COVID-19, and the sample comprised 375 healthcare professionals (198 women; 177 men). Both studies showed that higher levels of media consumption, governmental distrust, and psychological vulnerability were associated with lower levels of well-being. Our path models in both studies (with students and healthcare professionals) indicate that during the pandemic, participants' level of media consumption, trust in the government, and their personal vulnerability were negatively associated with their affective well-being. These findings have implications for individuals' affective well-being during healthcare crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]