What impact does news avoidance have on membership in different publics and political participation? To what extent do these dynamics contribute to the fragmentation of publics? This study examines how various news avoidance practices affect individuals’ connection to the public sphere.
The study examines the extent to which various forms of news avoidance, such as low consistent news consumption or selective avoidance of certain news topics, can hinder or promote political participation in Germany. Additionally, it examines the role of membership in topic-specific communities characterized by a shared interest in a particular subject (e.g., sports or the environment). The study builds on the concept of Public Connection Repertoires, which were developed at the HBI.
In collaboration with GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, this study analyzes data from the GESIS Panel.dbd Digital Behavioral Data Sample, which combines web tracking and survey data. Integrating digital behavioral data with self-reported information makes it possible to compensate for potential biases in survey data, ensuring a more comprehensive measurement of news avoidance practices. Thus, the study aims to contribute valuable insights to the existing research on individual news avoidance practices and their effects, as well as to advance methodological approaches to researching digital news consumption.
Image: AI-generated
