Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly · 2003 · 245 citations · 0 references
Fake NewsMedia CredibilityNetwork News CredibilityCommunicationMisinformationMedia StudiesJournalismInteractive JournalismSocial MediaMedia EffectsManagementNews AnalyticsPolitical CommunicationSocial Medium NewsDisinformation DetectionContent AnalysisMedia BiasSynergy EffectCommunication EffectsSynergy EffectsMarketingArtsPersuasion
This experimental investigation of media credibility examined the combined, or synergistic, effects of on-air and online network news exposure, placing student and adult news consumers in broadcast news, online news, and telewebbing conditions. Results indicate that perceptions of network news credibility are affected by channel used. Perceptions of credibility were enhanced when the channel used was consistent with the news source being evaluated, suggesting a channel congruence effect. In addition, evidence is offered for the existence of a synergy effect between on-air and online news.