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Teaching information verification skills has become increasingly important in the current post-truth era. Through surveys and interviews with teenagers and young adults in the Middle East and United States, this study explores the changing patterns of social media use for news and actions they take to verify news stories online. Findings show younger students are moving toward more visual platforms, such as Instagram, and private messaging apps to get news. Information verification activities, however, are more frequently practiced by older people who use Facebook and Twitter. Implications for journalism and mass communication curricula are discussed.

The coronavirus pandemic dominated headlines at the same time that mainstream news organizations began adding more podcasts to their digital storytelling platforms. This popular form of audio journalism appears to be unrestricted by traditional journalism practices and constraints of deadlines and space. Few academic studies thus far have examined the characteristics of news podcasts (i.e., shows created by professional news organizations) and where they fit within the journalism landscape. Through a content analysis of 40 news podcast episodes related to the coronavirus pandemic, this study explores the extent to which narrative storytelling devices (voice, character development, scene setting, dialogue, dramatic tension), and other elements, such as opinion, were incorporated into the sample. Results show all but one episode utilized narrative storytelling elements, but the degree of editing and production varied widely. Results also demonstrate an overall shift away from journalistic norms of objectivity and toward interpretive reporting in this emerging format. Reporters and hosts often appear as both characters and experts in the episodes, and narrative elements serve to emphasize storytelling over content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior scholarship related to interactive digital narratives (IDNs) typically has analyzed this emerging genre of storytelling on web-based platforms. The Bandersnatch episode of the Black Mirror series on Netflix offers a unique opportunity to explore the affordances and audience effects of IDNs appearing within a popular streamed TV program. This case study combines updated models of the uses and gratifications theory of media use with human–computer interaction frameworks to identify cognitive themes and emotional valences among Bandersnatch users, as expressed through tweets related to their experience. Findings show positive emotions were associated with perceived degree of control, as well as immersion or sense of flow. Gratifications associated with binge-type behavior on streaming services were also present. However, perceived realism, parasocial identification with the character, a need for a sense of completion, and the burden of choice created stress among many users. Social media served as a valuable ancillary vehicle for users to participate with others around the program, thus elevating the interactive narrative elements of the experience, which were otherwise limited and controlled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viewership of traditional television programming has been steadily declining, particularly among younger audiences, who have turned to smartphones, social media, streaming services, and YouTube to consume video. These audiences also frequently engage in second-screening practices, using another device to virtually connect with others regarding what they are watching. Most prior research has focused on the effects of second screening via social media with televised content. Through a survey of teens in the Middle East (N = 258) and young adults in the United States (N = 643), the current study found second screening frequently occurs with both traditional TV and streaming content. Framed by co-viewing theory, results show both practices positively correlate with a constructed second-screen social capital affinity (SSSCA) scale, mirroring co-viewing in person. Findings also indicate that second screening need not take place simultaneously with video viewing to gratify social needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]