28/11/2024 (Thursday) 13:00-14:00 E21B-G002
Exposure to non-partisan news from partisan media: Its effects on attitudes toward oppositional media
Abstract:
“Partisan distrust in oppositional media is a significant concern. Partisans commonly believe that out-party news outlets are always biased and one-sided and gravitate toward news outlets they associate with their side. However, this is not necessarily the case. Research indicates that partisan media does provide balanced presentation of news. It is thus possible that partisan perceptions of oppositional media. Drawing from Expectancy Violation Theory, we propose that one way to address this issue is deliberately violating partisans’ expectations of oppositional media through positive violations. To address this idea, we conduct online experiments to assess the effects of exposure to non-partisan news headlines (as opposed to partisan ones) from an out-party outlet on attitudes toward the outlet and four dimensions of violation interpretation – unexpectedness, valence, importance, and uncertainty. This design clarifies what may be at work when partisans unexpectedly encounter non-partisan news reports from oppositional media. We further test the effects of message dosage on these outcomes.
Bio:
Prof. Masahiro Yamamoto is an Associate Professor and Chair of Department of Communication at University at Albany, State University of New York. He is a researcher specializing in political communication and digital media, focusing on how media use influences political attitudes and engagement. His work explores the dynamics between traditional and non-traditional media, as well as the impact of interpersonal communication and local media on community social control. Published in several peer-reviewed journals and recognized with awards from esteemed associations.
