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Incidental Exposure to Non-Like-Minded News through Social Media: Opposing Voices in Echo-Chambers’ News Feeds

Author

Listed:
  • Pere Masip

    (Blanquerna School of Communication and International Relations, Ramon Llull University, Spain)

  • Jaume Suau

    (Blanquerna School of Communication and International Relations, Ramon Llull University, Spain)

  • Carlos Ruiz-Caballero

    (Blanquerna School of Communication and International Relations, Ramon Llull University, Spain)

Abstract

Debates about post-truth need to take into account how news re-disseminates in a hybrid media system in which social networks and audience participation play a central role. Hence, there is a certain risk of reducing citizens’ exposure to politically adverse news content, creating ‘echo chambers’ of political affinity. This article presents the results of research conducted in agreement with 18 leading Spanish online news media, based on a survey (N = 6625) of their registered users. The results highlight that high levels of selective exposure that are a characteristic of offline media consumption are being moderated in the online realm. Although most of the respondents get news online from like-minded media, the figures related to those who also get news from media with a different media ideology should not be underestimated. As news consumption is becoming more ‘social,’ our research points out that Spanish citizens who are more active on social media sites are more likely to be exposed to news content from different ideological positions than those who are less active users. There is a weak association between the use of a particular social network site and gaining access to like- and non-like-minded news.

Suggested Citation

  • Pere Masip & Jaume Suau & Carlos Ruiz-Caballero, 2020. "Incidental Exposure to Non-Like-Minded News through Social Media: Opposing Voices in Echo-Chambers’ News Feeds," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(4), pages 53-62.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:meanco:v:8:y:2020:i:4:p:53-62
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lanham, Richard A., 2006. "The Economics of Attention," University of Chicago Press Economics Books, University of Chicago Press, edition 1, number 9780226468822, November.
    2. Levi Boxell & Matthew Gentzkow & Jesse M. Shapiro, 2017. "Is the Internet Causing Political Polarization? Evidence from Demographics," NBER Working Papers 23258, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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