The digital transformation has fundamentally changed the information landscape, with heterogeneity and hybridity determining media messages. In addition to traditional news media, social media influencers and non-journalistic sources are increasingly shaping public opinion.
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In view of the countless information offerings, the boundaries between traditional journalism, influencer content and other sources of information are becoming increasingly blurred.
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How do people deal with the new media complexity?
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A joint study by the rheingold Institute and the Institute of Journalism Studies at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz has investigated how users deal with the new media diversity. The research work has now been awarded first place for the best journal article in communication science 2024.
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We are all the more pleased about this because it also means attention for such an important topic. Understanding the new mechanisms is crucial for the future of democratic discourse. Only if we understand the psychological processes of modern opinion-forming can we find constructive ways to communicate high-quality information effectively, even in the digital flood of information.
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In order to deepen the practical relevance of our research, a quantification will follow on behalf of the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for New Media. The results, which will be published in May 2025, will provide concrete recommendations for action for media, politics and educational institutions.
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