Xigen Li

Web Page Design and Graphic Use of three U.S. Newspapers

A content analysis of three U.S. Internet newspapers has found that Internet newspapers gave more priority to providing textual information than graphic information, and large graphics were more likely to appear on homepages than on frontpages and news article pages. The news links and the multiple communication channels adopted by Internet newspapers in web page design created a new environment of communication, involving more than host newspaper and initial audience. With interconnected links, the traditional one-to-many newspaper publishing process turned into many-to-many communication centered with and facilitated by the host Internet newspapers. The interconnected news links brought in audience participation in producing newspaper content and providing information beyond the original newspaper content, which demonstrates a shift of balance of communicative power from sender to receiver.

9/11 Attack Coverage Reveals Similarities, Differences

This content analysis of the coverage of five television networks and eight newspapers found that both broadcast and print media focused coverage of the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks on facts, but differences do appear in coverage frames and source use.

Stages of a Crisis and Media Frames and Functions: U.S. Television Coverage of the 9/11 Incident During the First 24 Hours

This study examined how five U.S. television outlets framed the 9/11 incident during the first 24 hours and how stages of the crisis affected media frames and functions. The study found media frames were dynamic rather than static, especially when events changed rapidly. Television served primarily to inform rather than provide guidance and consolation, and its functions changed according to its priority in the coverage during the different stages of the crisis. Use of a wider range of sources led to a diminished role of government sources in the coverage of this rapidly changing crisis of national magnitude.

Web Page Design Affects News Retrieval Efficiency

A content analysis of the online versions of five major dailies shows how different aspects of Web design contribute to the efficiency of information retrieval. The Washington Post was the most efficient.

Perceived channel efficiency and motivation and orientation of information seeking as predictors of media dependency

Abstract This study examined media dependency in the context of Internet media. It introduced the construct perceived channel efficiency in information seeking process and tested its effect on media dependency. The study found that perceived channel efficiency of the traditional media and Internet news sites, and motivation and orientation of information seeking contributed significantly to media dependency. Motivational and news-related factors varied in their effects on perceived channel efficiency and media dependency. Contrary to the media dependency thesis, availability of alternative media was not found to be a negative predictor of dependency on preferred media. Possible reasons were discussed, including changing scenarios of functional alternatives in the digital age, conscientious media selection and the ritualistic use of media.

Time span of news coverage as an antecedent of perceptual and behavioral components of third-person effect

This study extends the research of the third-person effect by examining the effect of time span of media message on perceptual and behavioral components of the third-person effect. Using a survey of Hong Kong residents, the study explores perceived media effect of the news coverage of a short- and a long-term issue and the predictor of intention to take action to reduce negative effect. The results revealed no third-person effect by the short-term messages and the reverse third-person effect (first-person effect) by the long-term messages. There was a significant difference in discrepancy between the perceived media effect on self and others (third-person perception) produced by the messages of the short- and long-term issue. The study also found that perceived media effect on self is a stronger predictor of intention to take action to reduce the negative effects of the short- and long-term issue than the third-person effect.