New Research Article: How do we choose the media we consume?

The iMedius research team  recently published in the international journal Online Information Review the article entitled "How do we choose the media we consume? Features and habits that determine our choices».

The study examines the factors influencing public information choices in today's multidimensional and fragmented media landscape. Through three focused groups (students, media researchers and adults over 40 years old), the habits and characteristics that determine:

1. the preference for different forms of media (television, online media, newspapers, mobile phones);
2. the role of the credibility and reputation of the media;
3. the influence of social circles (family, friends, colleagues) on news consumption,
4. the importance of structural and visual elements (images, videos, infographics),
5. the use of new features, such as text-to-speech and reading time indicators;
6. as well as the role of user feedback as a means of critical thinking and democratic dialogue.

The findings show that, regardless of generational differences, credibility remains a central issue, while visualization and interactivity enhance audience engagement. At the same time, the study shows that information has largely shifted to mobile devices and to fast, fragmented news consumption, which creates new challenges for journalism and society.

This publication is linked to the objectives of the iMedius project, as it sheds light on critical aspects of the public-media relationship, offering valuable data for the design of innovative tools for understanding the dissemination of information and its impact on the public sphere.

The iMedius project  is funded  by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (HFRI), in the context of the national recovery and resilience plan "Greece 2.0"

https://doi.org/10.1108/OIR-11-2024-0725