Many adults in the United States have adopted a passive approach to consuming news, believing that information will come to them through social media or their social networks. This news finds me mentality may have significant consequences, leading to a lack of political knowledge, reduced interest in politics, and increased political cynicism, according to researchers from Penn State University’s Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications.
In a recent study conducted by the researchers, individuals who held the belief that news will find them were found to choose soft news, such as entertainment or sports stories, more frequently than hard news, including political or scientific topics. Published in the journal Communication Research, the study aimed to understand the behaviors of individuals with the news finds me perception when given the opportunity to actively select news stories instead of waiting for them to passively appear.
The researchers expressed concern over the passive consumption of news enabled by algorithmic curation and personalized social media feeds. They argued that active engagement with the news is crucial for a well-informed citizenry, emphasizing that individuals need to actively follow news sources to stay informed about current affairs.
While previous studies have explored the societal consequences of the news finds me perception, there has been a lack of real-time research examining the behavior of individuals with this mindset when they encounter news online. To address this gap, the Penn State researchers created a mock news website resembling the Associated Press’s homepage and tracked over 530 participants as they navigated one of three versions of the site. Each version presented 13 genuine news articles with headlines, images, and leads.
Before interacting with the website, the participants completed a pretest that collected demographic information and measured their news finds me beliefs using a 10-point scale. The survey included questions such as the level of agreement with statements like I rely on my friends to tell me what’s important when news happens and I can be well informed even when I don’t actively follow the news. These responses helped determine the participants’ level of perception regarding news finding them.
The study findings revealed that individuals with a higher NFM perception tended to choose soft news stories over hard news when given the option. This preference for entertainment and sports articles demonstrates a potential consequence of the news finds me mindset.
As the researchers emphasize, an informed citizenry plays a crucial role in maintaining a successful democracy. However, those with the belief that news will find them may overestimate their level of knowledge and understanding about current affairs. The passive nature of their news consumption can lead to a limited and tailored perspective, hindering their ability to grasp the broader complexities of political and scientific issues.
Moving forward, this research raises important questions about the role of individuals in actively seeking out news and the impact of passive news consumption on democratic societies. By recognizing the limitations of the news finds me mentality, individuals can take a proactive stance in seeking out a wide range of news sources to foster a more comprehensive understanding of the world around them.
In conclusion, the news finds me mindset prevalent among many adults in the United States may have significant implications for political knowledge, interest, and cynicism. The study conducted by Penn State researchers highlights the tendency of individuals with this perception to choose soft news over hard news when given the option. Recognizing and addressing the consequences of passive news consumption is crucial for fostering an engaged and well-informed citizenry.
