The Integrated Media Effect: Rethinking the Effect of Media Use on Civic Participation in the Networked Digital Media Environment

• In Event: The Virtuous Circle? The Nature of the Relationship Between Exposure to News and Political Engagement

Abstract

Grounded in a communication mediation model, this study examines the effect of integrated news use on civic participation in the networked digital media environment. Data from a Web survey of a national online panel demonstrate that integrated news use, or the degree to which various media platforms are interconnected for news consumption, is positively associated with civic participation. Data also show that integrated political discussion and integrated political information seeking mediate the relationship between integrated news use and civic participation. Theoretical and methodological implications are discussed.

Authors

• Seungahn Nah, University of Kentucky

• Masahiro Yamamoto, U at Albany, State U of New York