On the basis of experimental data, we study how repetition a statement affects perceived credibility. We identify 2 counteracting effects: The first effect, known as "truth effect," describes positive relationship between and People tend to ascribe higher credibility messages that they repeatedly encounter. In contrast, second effect occurs when is taken too far. Here, an indirect negative identified participants start perceive message persuasive attempt. This perception triggers reactance,...

In modern media environments, social have fundamentally altered the way how individual opinions find their into public sphere. We link spiral of silence theory to exemplification research and investigate effects online on peoples’ perceptions opinion willingness speak out. an experiment, we can show that a relatively low number exemplars considerably influence perceived support for eviction violent immigrants. Moreover, supporters were less willing out issue offline when confronted with...

This study is the first to scrutinize psychological effects of online astroturfing in context Russia’s digitally enabled foreign propaganda. Online a communicative strategy that uses websites, “sock puppets,” or social bots create false impression particular opinion has widespread public support. We exposed N = 2353 subjects pro-Russian comments and tested: (1) their on political opinions certainty (2) efficiency three inoculation strategies prevent these effects. All were investigated...

News media can be considered to fulfil their democratic role as a "marketplace of ideas" only if they present diverse content that gives space wider range ideas and viewpoints. But how diversity assessed? And what determines actor viewpoint in the first place? By employing measurements at article newspaper level, this study provides complete overview on immigration news, it investigates factors have an impact articles Belgium, Germany, Italy United Kingdom (2013–2014). The results multilevel...

Media contain various cues to opinions of others and therefore serve as an important source information about the climate opinion. We distinguish explicit directly describing opinion distributions in society, from implicit lacking such a direct reference. In experiment, we examined relative impact survey data (explicit cue) arguments (implicit on judgments. While results strongly affected assessments, argumentation had effect only when no was available. However, produced indirect effect,...

Over the past few decades, scholars have observed an increase in ordinary citizens as actors everyday news coverage, mostly at cost of elite actors. While this has been welcomed by most democratization news, it remains unclear which functions appear reports and whether they substantially add to public discourse. This special issue tries gain greater insight into role their conceptualization, selection, depiction. Drawing from a multitude research strands concerned with citizen depictions...

Online astroturfing is a novel form of disinformation that relies on the imitation citizen voices to create false impression particular view or idea has widespread support in society. In this study, we test if political online messages (i.e., forged user comments beneath digital news items) can influence perceptions public opinion three issues: poisoning former Russian intelligence officer Sergei Skripal, use toxic gas by Russia's close ally Syria, and manipulation 2016 U.S. presidential...

The depiction of citizens expressing their opinions in the news is an increasingly popular feature modern journalism, because they can serve as exemplars that illustrate abstract or complex issues. However, citizen differ regarding level personal involvement issue talk about. Affected have some kind experience with (e.g. ill people) whereas unaffected citizens, ordinary “people from street,” do not. We examine for first time how exemplars’ moderates effects on recipients’ perceptions public...

Emotions are considered important drivers of the diffusion messages on social networking sites. Therefore, emotion-eliciting political communication yields potential to reach broad audiences and influence citizens’ attitudes behavior. In this study, we investigate message characteristics that potentially trigger emotional reactions part users pages test if fosters content in network. Based appraisal theory, employ a manual coding scheme identify dimensions parties’ Facebook posts should...

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This study analyzes how perceptions of the popularity political parties (i.e., current opinion climate) and expectations about parties’ future electoral performance are formed. Theoretically, paper integrates research on sources public perception empirically draws a representative survey carried out before 2013 German federal election. We show that perceived media slant opinions in one’s personal surroundings closely related to party popularity, whereas individual recall poll results not....

In the current paper, we investigate how Lampedusa shipwreck disaster in October 2013 affected newspaper coverage three European countries (Belgium, Germany, and Italy). Based on data from a quantitative comparative content analysis, conclude that can be regarded key event for immigration coverage, but only Italy, where journalists devoted considerable amount of attention to disaster. We also find structure general tone changed after event. However, those changes were short-termed quickly...

Although armed conflicts are an intensively researched domain in communication science, not much is known about the factors influencing their visibility news media. Based on research international flow of news, we identify traits and nations involved that potentially determine visibility. In our study, combine data 119 between 1992 2013 analysis German newspaper coverage. We can show several event- context-oriented exert influence how attention media devote to a conflict. Conflict was...

Medien & Kommunikationswissenschaft provides a forum for discussion of media and communications related issues as well analyses current developments from various perspectives that are directed to all kinds media. The journal reflects the latest trends in research public primarily addresses scholars, journalists, organisations, press, radio tv broadcaster, film, tv, video production companies, teachers. Website: www.m-und-k.nomos.de

SCM Studies in Communication and Media , Seite 473 - 492

The current study examines the role of affective and cognitive attitude extremity on perceived exposure to diverse political viewpoints investigates possibility a “primacy affect.” Based multi-level analysis panel survey data, we show that people with extreme attitudes toward immigrants experience less viewpoint diversity this tendency is especially pronounced for extremity. However, even those holding do not find themselves in issue-specific echo chambers, is, they still encounter...