Articles tagged with Mass Media
A new study finds that personal attacks in politics are strongly associated with greater media coverage, but show no correlation with fundraising or policy success. Researchers discovered an asymmetric pattern of conflict entrepreneurs, who use antagonistic rhetoric to gain media attention and become 'media celebrities'.
A crisis communication study reveals Ticketmaster's inadequate response to technical failures and public backlash, leading to a political scandal and antitrust lawsuit. The company's lack of transparency, avoidance of responsibility, and failure to issue a full apology further damaged its reputation.
Research analyzes news articles on childlessness, identifying themes that perpetuate stigma and structural imbalances, highlighting the need for media literacy initiatives and equitable health communication
A study found that college students with lower self-control and habitual use of short-form videos experience poorer sleep health and higher stress, but not diminished academic performance. Researchers suggest that institutions of higher learning and society can help by providing holistic mental health and student health outreach services.
A recent study found that AI programs are up to 97% accurate at detecting pictures of deepfake faces, but performed at chance levels when it comes to detecting deepfake videos. Humans correctly identified real and fake videos about two-thirds of the time, picking up on subtle inconsistencies in movement and facial expressions. The stud...
A study published in PLOS One found that individuals experience a more negative reaction to the time change from daylight saving time (DST) to standard time (ST) in the fall, compared to the transition from ST to DST in the spring. Social media sentiment analysis revealed a depressive impact in early fall.
Researchers find that personalized digital marketing can evoke a powerful emotional response, leading consumers to feel uncomfortable and less likely to make purchases. To mitigate this 'creepiness,' brands can focus on prevention by designing personalization practices that minimize ambiguity and avoid signals of intrusive surveillance.
An online experiment with 1,051 US adults suggests flagging potentially false cancer treatment claims on social media can help reduce the spread of misinformation. The study found that intervening and reducing sharing of false information on social media may have a positive impact on public health.
A new volume of comics studies argues that comics from the Global South need to be read on their own cultural terms, highlighting their use as a tool for resistance, identity assertion, and social change. The book showcases diverse case studies from Latin America, Africa, Asia, and beyond.
Research reveals major gaps in studying the relationship between AI and journalism, including environmental impact and Global South deployment. Most studies are conducted from Europe, leaving scarce attention to the Middle East, Latin America, and sub-Saharan Africa.
A study found that pairing student journalists with communities through structured conversation can help rebuild trust and teach future reporters how to listen to and investigate the needs of overlooked communities. The program resulted in 27 conversations involving students and 135 community members, generating a complete curriculum f...
A new Cochrane review suggests that intermittent fasting may not be an effective strategy for weight loss in overweight or obese adults. The study found no meaningful difference in weight loss between intermittent fasting and traditional dietary advice or doing nothing, highlighting the need for more research into this area.
A study analyzing news reports, social media posts, and internet search data during the 2022-2023 South Korea drought found that public views change depending on problem size and distance from people. Public interest, emotions, and behavior also shifted as the disaster scale changed.
A new study from the University of Rochester found that social media algorithms can reinforce echo chambers, but introducing randomness can help reduce this effect. By exposing users to a broader range of perspectives, algorithms can weaken feedback loops and promote more open-minded views.
The REST-COAST project has developed a mobile app, My REST-COAST, to raise public awareness and engagement in coastal ecosystem restoration across Europe and Israel. The app provides interactive maps, site-specific biodiversity information, and gamified learning paths to encourage users to explore restoration strategies.
A study by Harvard Medical School and the University of Texas at Arlington found that parents seeking advice on substance use from online peers can be misled by misconceptions. The research suggests that while social media offers a unique window into parental concerns, it should complement evidence-based guidance rather than replace it.
A recent study by Doshisha University researchers found that Japanese media generally accurately conveys the concept of blue carbon, but fails to adequately address its challenges and risks. The study recommends improved collaboration among media professionals, policymakers, and marine scientists for effective science communication.
New Edith Cowan University research explores how facial filters and pop culture shape perceptions of the nose. Dr Laura Glitsos found that social media reinforces narrow Eurocentric beauty standards, negatively impacting people's self-worth and wellbeing.
A study published in PLOS found that individuals with binge-watching addiction are more likely to experience loneliness. The researchers discovered an association between increased loneliness and higher levels of binge-watching addiction, suggesting that people may engage in this behavior as a coping mechanism for emotional distress.
A new book by University of Exeter experts Professor Gary Love and Professor Richard Toye examines the importance of political writing in modern Britain. The authors argue that long-form writing remains a vital part of the national conversation, from pamphlets to punk fanzines, and has shaped political identities and activism.
A study from the University of Kansas found that the kidnapping of Luis Manuel Díaz, father of Colombian soccer star Luis “Lucho” Díaz, resulted in coverage that portrayed his son as a national hero and cast doubt on peace negotiations. The media framing of the story had broader implications for the Total Peace initiative and the Petro...
A new study by Binghamton University Professor Eric Wiebelhaus-Brahm found that social media hashtags can help identify early warning signs of violence and amplify local voices. The research examined social media campaigns in Canada and Syria, analyzing over 5,000 posts tied to #TruthAndReconciliation and #SaveSyria.
Researchers found that people living in areas connected to those most affected by the AP's ban on labeling people held less restrictive immigration policy preferences. Media language plays a significant role in shaping political attitudes and can extend to individuals' social networks.
A study by Iowa State University researchers found that anthropomorphizing language, such as using mental verbs like 'think' or 'know', is less common in news writing than expected. When used, these words often describe what AI requires to function, rather than attributing human-like qualities to the system. The research team identifie...
A new study from the University of East Anglia finds that AI tools excel at speed and clarity, but human translators remain crucial for tone, cultural nuance, and natural sound. Generative AI can handle parts of video translation, but consumers still notice when something feels off.
A study published in PLOS Global Public Health found that US Congress members' social media responses to mass shootings vary along party lines. Democratic congressmembers are more likely to post about guns, framing their responses in terms of community, victims, and legislature, whereas Republican members focus on Second Amendment righ...
The album marks a new era for the singer, exploring themes of performance, love, and empowerment. Scholars analyze Swift's shift from teen country singer to showgirl persona, finding optimism and hope in songs like 'Eldest Daughter' and 'Opalite'.
A new analysis using COTSI data reveals that verifying fake accounts for use in the US and UK is almost as cheap as in Russia, while Japan and Australia have high prices due to SIM costs and photo ID rules. The average price of SMS verification for an online platform was $0.26 in the US and $0.10 in the UK.
New research reveals heightened anxiety and declining optimism among young Americans, who perceive risk everywhere they turn due to factors like Covid-19 lockdowns and school shootings. Gen Z is increasingly cynical about changing the world, viewing politics and protests with skepticism.
A study analyzing resharing behavior on X (formerly Twitter) shows that different expressed emotions unfold in the aftermath of celebrity suicides, with disgust being the most contagious emotion. The findings emphasize the need for emotion-specific approaches to both theoretical modeling and practical intervention in online environments.
A new study from City St George's University of London found that people's newspaper reading habits are a reliable predictor of their attitudes towards autism. The research reveals that around 10% of the differences in automatic, unconscious bias were linked to what newspapers people read.
A study by the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds that the US suicide rate is lowest in December, with a significant decline during the year-end holiday season. However, some news outlets continue to perpetuate the false myth that suicides increase around the holidays.
A pioneering study by UPF found that lower-class young people, especially boys, receive twice as many ads about risky financial products as their upper-class peers. The study also reveals marked gender differences in online advertising, with girls receiving more fashion and beauty ads than boys.
The ARU symposium delves into the effects of consuming mass-produced low-quality content, reshaping art, media, politics, and the internet. Dr Tina Kendall discusses the psychological and societal implications of AI-generated material, including its environmental costs.
A study of 258 published novelists in the UK found that half believe AI will replace their work entirely. The majority also report using AI for non-creative tasks like information searches and editing text written without AI. However, many express concerns about copyright laws not being respected and originality being lost.
A recent study by researchers from the University of Rochester, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, and University of Virginia found that publicly displayed community notes can effectively curb misinformation on social media platforms. The study analyzed 264,600 posts on X that received at least one community note and found that p...
A recent study from the University of Kansas found that a 2023 police raid on a small-town newspaper in Kansas sparked
A recent study analyzing millions of social media posts found that news shared on platforms with conservative user bases is lower in quality, yet gets more likes and shares. Meanwhile, a user's posts with lower-quality news links get more engagement than their higher-quality news posts across both liberal- and right-leaning platforms.
Researchers identified three types of online brand defenders: promoters (emotionally attached), justice promoters (fairness driven), and self-promoters (ego-driven). Companies can encourage promoters by acknowledging them, while justice promoters require a sense of fairness. Self-promoters are motivated by attention and rewards.
A new study analyzed images of dementia in Finnish newspapers, finding a narrow and negative picture. The majority depicted people with dementia as elderly and frail, perpetuating stereotypes. Images also frequently used emotionally charged visual metaphors, such as puzzle pieces and trees shedding leaves.
The Baltic states of Lithuania and Estonia topped the Index on International Media Freedom Support, while Latvia came in 9th. The report highlights a significant gap between public commitments and actual support for media freedom among larger countries like the US, UK, Italy, and Japan.
Researchers found that AI-generated content is a triple threat to Reddit moderators, posing concerns over decreasing content quality, disrupting social dynamics, and being difficult to govern. To address these issues, moderators are enacting rules and trying to preserve the community's humanity.
A recent study found that most users cannot identify AI bias in training data, unless it affects their own group. Researchers created 12 versions of a prototype AI system to detect facial expressions and tested how users might detect bias in different scenarios.
A study published in a book by Professor Florian Stöckel and colleagues found that social media comments can act as signals for true or false information, helping users identify accurate news. However, these comments can also be misleading and undermine trust in correct information.
Studies from the University of Georgia found that excessive screen time among young girls can lead to increased family conflict and widened gaps in emotional sharing between parents and kids. Delaying smartphone ownership or placing time limits on screentime may help mitigate these issues.
A new study reveals that true crime media can be both a help and a hindrance to co-victims, with many experiencing a loss of privacy and trauma due to sensationalized coverage. The research highlights the need for ethical production practices and standards to protect co-victims from harm.
Researchers analyzed 1.4 million online images and videos, finding that women are systematically presented as younger than men across various occupational and social categories. The study also found that mainstream algorithms amplify age-related gender bias in resume evaluations, rating older male applicants as more qualified.
The GDPR did not significantly affect EU and US news websites' ability to produce high-quality content, engage users, or receive traffic. Despite initial tracking reductions, EU sites stabilized at lower levels while using consent mechanisms, with no negative impact on visitor engagement.
A new study found that 21.4% of non-medical TikTok videos contained inaccurate information about sexual and reproductive health, while 3.4% created by medical professionals were accurate. The research highlights the need for improved sex education and social media literacy to protect young adults from misinformation.
A poet's extensive rewrites in Dannie Abse's 1980 autobiography 'A Matter of Life' gave the narrative an emotional storytelling tone, highlighting the human stakes of IVF. The book's commercial success helped promote IVF at a time when the technique was controversial.
A new JCOM study reveals that science journalists act as 'knowledge brokers,' negotiating with their audiences to convey accurate information. The researchers found that public trust in science is not uniformly declining, but rather fragmented and dependent on social, political, and media contexts.
A massive meta-analysis of 25 previous studies found that efforts to reduce partisan animosity are largely ineffective, with superficial interventions improving feelings towards the other party by only 5.3%. The effects are fleeting, disappearing within one week, and even repeated interventions fail to produce lasting results.
The Leopoldina discussion paper advocates for age limits and restrictions on addictive functions in social media to protect children and adolescents from negative effects. Researchers recommend setting a minimum age for access, restricting certain functions, and implementing policies to promote healthy social media use.
A study explores how Buddhist philosophy can enhance psychotherapy in the context of digital mental health. The findings focus on three key lenses: networked dynamics, reciprocity, and cognitive flexibility. These lenses frame experience as relational and evolving, highlighting the importance of overlooked connections and incidental en...
Researchers found that more interactive mobile apps and AI chatbots foster a sense of playfulness, lowering privacy concerns. However, this interactivity can also distract users from thinking about the information they share with the system.
A recent study by Cornell University researchers found that seven distinct strategies commenters employ when objecting to content online. The most common strategy is reputational attacks, also known as "vinegar," while moral appeals are less common but more effective in reducing online vitriol.
A groundbreaking study challenges conventional wisdom on NIL policies in college football, demonstrating they enhance competitive balance and broaden opportunities for athletes. The research shows that NIL has led to a wider distribution of talent across college programs, directly benefiting athletes seeking to maximize their brands an...
A recent study analyzed newspaper images of home care in Finland, finding that they often portray older clients as passive and lonely, while care workers are depicted as active. The study's findings highlight the need to critically assess media imagery and its impact on perceptions and decision-making related to home care.
Gary Kebbell shares his expertise on navigating today's complex information environment and how to effectively consume news. The public lecture will provide insights into the evolving media landscape and the importance of digital literacy.
A new study from the University of Georgia suggests that binge-watching TV shows can improve memory and engagement with stories. Researchers found that people who marathon episodes are more likely to remember plots and characters, leading to a stronger connection to the narrative.