"The Media survey indicates that Television remains the primary source of news, with 47% of respondents indicating it as their go-to platform for staying informed. Following closely is Radio, with 31% of respondents relying on it for news updates. The survey also revealed that Citizen Tv emerged as
...
the most watched and trusted Tv. Similarly, Radio Citizen and Radio Jambo garnered substantial listenership, solidifying their positions as popular choices for radio news and entertainment. In contrast, the readership of newspapers has experienced a significant decline dropping from 29% in 2022 to 26% in 2023. This trend reflects the shifting preferences of consumers towards digital and broadcast media for accessing news content. Furthermore, the survey identified Tuko as the most visited news website, underscoring the growing prominence of online platforms in disseminating information. Notably, the survey highlighted the substantial consumption of online content by the youth demographic particularly those aged between 18 and 35. Additionally, the survey found that social media platforms are predominantly utilised for entertainment purposes, with both local and international content being equally popular among users. However, the survey also raised concerns regarding the level of trust in media sources, indicating a decrease from 42% in 2022 to 38.2% in 2023. The spread of misinformation and disinformation emerged as significant concerns stemming from the media survey in both 2022 and 2023." (Executive summary, page x)
more
"The relationship between the sound industry and its audience is influenced by the widespread use of smartphones as the primary means of accessing the internet. This has led to a transformation in media logics, particularly among young people in Colombia, as they adapt to an evolving ecosystem that
...
is redefining the creation, production and distribution of media. The objective of this research is to determine the significance of podcasts in the information consumption habits of listeners/users and to examine how this digital innovation is positioned in the content offer of radio and independent producers. The study employs a mixed methodological approach, including a case study that involves the administration of 190 surveys to young people, the review and listening of digital repositories of podcast platforms and the conducting of fifteen interviews with podcast producers. The main conclusion drawn is that podcasts are revitalizing audio content on-screen, connecting young people with information and the reality of their environment." (Abstract)
more
"Die Vielzahl von Informationen und Nachrichten, die täglich über unterschiedlichste Kanäle verbreitet werden, können für Nutzerinnen und Nutzer eine Herausforderung darstellen. Nachrichtenvermeidung (News Avoidance) kann die Folge sein. Wie der Reuters Digital News Report 2024 zeigt, ist das I
...
nteresse an Nachrichten in der Mehrzahl der teilnehmenden Länder in den letzten Jahren tatsächlich merklich gesunken (vgl. Newman und andere, 2024 sowie Newman und andere, 2023). Die zunehmende Zahl an Nachrichtenquellen und die große Vielfalt an Nachrichten und Informationen (High-Choice-News-Avoidance-These) ist laut der Studie von Karlsen, Beyer und Steen-Johnsen (2020) jedoch nicht alleiniger Grund, warum Menschen Nachrichten vermeiden. Vielmehr spielen sowohl Faktoren auf Seiten der Nachrichten (beispielsweise bestimmte Themen; Negativität) als auch individuelle Merkmale der Nutzerinnen und Nutzer eine wichtige Rolle. Nachrichtenvermeidung ist vor allem in Krisenzeiten häufiger zu beobachten. Schäfer, Betakova und Lecheler (2024) untersuchten intentionale Nachrichtenvermeidung und konnten zeigen, dass diese durch spezifische Themen, wie zum Beispiel die COVID-19-Berichterstattung, verstärkt wird, und spezifischen Motiven – zum Beispiel Informationsüberlastung – geschuldet ist." (Seite 1)
more
"Der Info-Monitor der Medienanstalten dokumentiert, wo und wie sich die Bevölkerung in Deutschland zum aktuellen Zeitgeschehen informiert. Nutzung: Der Bedarf in der Bevölkerung an Informationen zum aktuellen Zeitgeschehen ist groß. Mehr als 90 Prozent interessieren sich für aktuelle Themen und
...
informieren sich mindestens wöchentlich. Die sog. etablierten Medien erfüllen diesen Bedarf nur (noch) bedingt, weil nur 60 % der Befragten die für sie relevanten Themen aufgegriffen sehen. 34 % sehen ihre Themen nicht repräsentiert. Vertrauen: Der Info-Monitor belegt einen klaren Zusammenhang zwischen Medienvertrauen und Demokratiezufriedenheit: Von den etablierten Medien Überzeugte (22 %) und diese kritisch Betrachtende (45 %) sind meist auch mit der Demokratie in Deutschland zufrieden. Skeptische (26 %) und Ablehnende (7 %) äußern häufiger systemkritische Ansichten. Nutzungsmuster und Medienvertrauen dieser Gruppen variieren stark: Von den etablierten Medien Überzeugte bevorzugen öffentlich-rechtliche Angebote und Tageszeitungen, Skeptische nutzen deutlich häufiger Suchmaschinen, Soziale und sog. alternative Medien. Ablehnende vertrauen vor allem Videoplattformen, sog. alternative Medien und Suchmaschinen. Skeptische vertrauen vor allem öffentlich-rechtlichen Angeboten, Informationen der Tageszeitungen und von privaten Radiosendern. Vertrauenswürdigkeit sozialer Medien: Die nicht gezielte Informationsnutzung zum aktuellen Zeitgeschehen überwiegt. Besonders stark ausgeprägt ist die Nebenbei-Nutzung bei Sozialen Medien, die vor allem für Jüngere eine wichtige Informationsquelle darstellen. Die Vertrauenswürdigkeit von Sozialen Medien als Nachrichtenquelle fällt gleichzeitig gering aus. Die große Mehrheit sieht in Personalisierung, Desinformation und Hassrede eine Bedrohung für Gesellschaft und Demokratie - und findet, dass die Anbieter der Social-Media-Plattformen zu wenig gegen diese Phänomene tun." (Auf einen Blick, Seite 2)
more
"Knapp 93 Prozent der deutschsprachigen Bevölkerung ab 14 Jahren hören der ma 2025 Audio I zufolge regelmäßig Audioangebote. Fast drei Viertel schalten täglich mindestens ein Radioprogramm ein und dies über vier Stunden lang. Der Radiomarkt fragmentiert weiter – die Anzahl der genannten Send
...
er, an die sich die für die ma Befragten erinnern, hat sich von 1996 bis heute mehr als verdoppelt. Rund drei Fünftel der Radiohörerinnen und -hörer weisen eine hohe Senderbindung auf und schalten an einem Durchschnittstag nur einen Sender ein. Am Beispiel des Saarlands zeigt sich, dass Radiosender mit einer starken regionalen Verwurzelung auch in einem sich verändernden Marktumfeld weiterhin in der Hörergunst vorne liegen." (Kurz und knapp, Seite 1)
more
"Research on motivations for news consumption has primarily focused on uses and gratifications (U&G) from both conventional and new media. However, there is a gap regarding age perspectives in this field. This study aims to address this gap by examining whether differences and similarities exist in
...
the motivations for news consumption among the citizens of 23 European countries. Analyzing data from 45,073 respondents, the study finds significant variations in motivation across age groups, particularly in informational, learning, entertaining, and social gratifications. Interestingly, there are no age-based differences in motivation driven by civic duties. Furthermore, the study shows that country differences do not significantly influence the relationship between age and motivation. The results add valuable insights into both academics and practitioners in the field of news of consumption and expand knowledge of the current literature." (Abstract)
more
"In the age of digital media, news avoidance behaviour is continually increasing. This behaviour has brought new challenges for society and democracy. Research on news avoidance has recently experienced a surge, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are many uncertainties
...
on this topic, and this systematic literature review attempts to resolve them. This research uses the PRISMA framework to answer the research questions. Two databases are used for this study: Web of Science and Scopus. The study uses the inclusion criteria of research papers published in English and the exclusion criteria of review papers. The research study is based on a quantitative and qualitative analysis of 23 selected articles from both databases. Quantitative results show a sudden increase in the number of news avoidance studies in 2023. The analysis also revealed a dominance of quantitative methods and non-probability samples. The regional distribution of the studies underlines the concentration of research in Europe and North America. The qualitative analysis highlights the causes of news avoidance, the profile of news avoiders, the connection between news avoidance and news overload, social media and engagement, the disadvantages of avoidance, and solutions to avoidance. The study concludes that trust in news, interest in news, enjoyment of news consumption, news curation and constructive news provide a solution to news avoidance behaviour." (Abstract)
more
"Algorithmic news recommender systems (NRS) are present in many digital platforms. A decade after Eli Pariser introduced the infamous ‘filter bubble’ hypothesis, empirical evidence challenges the assumption that recommendation algorithms predominantly create homogeneous opinion environments. Stu
...
dies indicate that algorithmic platform use may amplify users’ political polarization. Whether the link between platform use and polarization can be causally explained by ideological news filtering, however, is still an unanswered question as rigid causal designs to test the notion of ‘filter bubble’ effects are still largely lacking. To fill this gap, we conducted two experimental studies in Germany (n = 1,786) and the U.S. (n = 1,306) with running NRS selecting news items based on the political orientation and political interest of its users. For both national contexts, results indicate that an NRS with a bias towards users’ political preferences increases ideological polarization among politically moderate individuals, supporting the notion of ‘filter bubble’ effects for this group. No such pattern could be found for affective polarization. Yet, in the German data, affective polarization among moderate users was reduced by a politically balanced NRS (as compared to a randomized news diet), while the same NRS increased affective polarization of politically extreme participants. We discuss the democratic implications of these findings against the backdrop of increasing digital news consumption." (Abstract)
more
"This research note introduces the experience of using ‘timelines’ as a visual research method during online interviewing. It does so through a series of questions and answers that guide the reader through an exploration, understanding of and reflection on the method. This qualitative approach w
...
as used while conducting research on the influence that participation in a Reality TV show had on its finalists, and on the opportunities and life choices that were afforded to participants after the end of the show. The reader is encouraged to draw links between their own work as a qualitative researcher and the possibilities that this method can offer either in filling gaps or in expanding their current endeavour. Ultimately, the ‘quality’ of the answers we find in our qualitative work is illustrative of the way we choose to ask our questions." (Abstract)
more
"While most adult Afghans have access to some form of media platform, only around one in three have access to internet, with less than half of mobile users owning a smartphone. Men exhibit higher usage of radio and internet compared to women (52% male vs 43% female for radio and 36% vs 29% for inter
...
net). Use of TV, however, is nearly identical among men and women. Men predominantly use media in the evenings between 7 to 10 pm, while women use media during the day, with an increase in women’s TV usage during daylight hours compared to findings from our previous survey (March 2021). With increased limitations on women’s movement, work and education; media and the internet have become essential lifelines for women, serving as their main source of news and information." (Key findings, page 2)
more
"Young people use digital media for various purposes, such as communication, entertainment, and information. As they grow up, their media repertoires become more complex and diverse. This article examines these media repertoires in more detail, considering the dynamic changes in individual developme
...
nt, social circumstances, and deep mediatization. Using semi-structured interviews with young people and one parent each, as well as a media-actor mapping, the study reveals significant changes in the composition and function of media repertoires from late childhood to early and middle adolescence. Drawing on the theoretical background of communicative figurations, it highlights changes in media ensembles, actor constellations, frames of relevance, and communicative practices. Besides changes in media repertoires for coping with developmental tasks and individual transitions in life, social factors such as the role of family and peers are considered. The empirical findings also point to the added value of qualitative longitudinal data which allows for a comprehensive examination of the complexity of changing media repertoires within a deeply mediatized society and a rapidly evolving media environment." (Abstract)
more
"Afrobarometer data support the notion that the use of digital media is exploding across the continent, although rates of uptake may have slowed in recent years. However, these new media environments also pose challenges. Reduced barriers to access and the decline of gatekeepers can also mean that f
...
alse information and divisive language, including hate speech and calls to violence, spread more quickly, with fewer opportunities to check facts and squelch harmful speech. In addition, digital divides disadvantaging women, the less educated, the poor, rural residents, and older citizens are not vanishing. In fact, many of these divides are larger today than they were almost a decade ago. In spite of these changes, one mass medium – radio – continues to dominate most markets on the continent, with only modest declines in use over the past several years. Further, radio is in many ways the most democratic of mass media, as many of the demographic divides that mark access to digital media are small to non-existent. That said, we must be cautious to note that radio presents its own set of problems, including its own issues with false information and divisive language. Evolving media landscapes mean that African publics face important questions about how they interact with media and how they expect their governments to treat media. Afrobarometer data suggest that Africans overwhelmingly support media playing an important role in holding governments accountable, particularly with regard to the scourge of corruption. Further, strong majorities are supportive of media’s right to report as they see fit, free of government interference. And a solid majority see their media as largely free, although assessments vary widely by country." (Conclusion)
more
"Findings from the most recent Afrobarometer survey, in late 2022, show that most South Africans say the media should act as a watchdog over the government, constantly investigating and reporting on government mistakes and corruption. Citizens value media freedom and reject the notion that the gover
...
nment should be able to prevent publications it disapproves of. Most citizens say the public and the media should have access to information held by public authorities, such as budgets and contracts. And a strong majority say South Africa’s media today is at least “somewhat” free. Television is the most popular news source in South Africa, but radio and social media also play a vital role, regularly providing news to more than seven in 10 citizens." (summary)
more
"About three-quarters (76%) of Batswana say the media should "constantly investigate and report on government mistakes and corruption." A similar share (77%) insist on media freedom, while 20% say the government should have the right to prevent the publication of things it disapproves of. In particu
...
lar, strong majorities endorse the proposition that specific types of information be made publicly available, including information regarding budgets and expenditures for local government councils (88%) and bids and contracts for government-funded projects or purchases (88%). Half (50%) of those surveyed support making the salaries of teachers and local government officials public. About half (49%) say the country's media is "somewhat free" or "completely free" to report and comment on the news without government interference. Radio is the most popular source of news in Botswana, used at least "a few times a week" by two-thirds (67%) of citizens. Social media (47%) and television (41%) beat out the Internet (36%) and newspapers (29%) as regular news sources." (Key findings)
more
"According to the most recent Afrobarometer survey, in late 2022, Emaswati broadly agree that the media should act as a watchdog over the government, exposing government missteps and wrongdoing. Citizens value media freedom and reject the notion that public information should be the exclusive preser
...
ve of government officials. However, most believe that media freedom does not exist in practice in their country. Television and radio are the most popular news sources in Eswatini, but the Internet and social media are favoured, too, especially by youth, urban residents, and more educated citizens." (Summary, pages 1-2)
more