Is My Friend’s Enemy Also My Enemy? The Spillover Effect of Interpersonal Discussions on Hostile Media Bias Perceptions

• In Event: Influences on Hostile Media Perceptions: Exploring The Effects of Social Media, Discussion, Involvement and Exposure

Abstract

More than a decade ago, Eveland and Shah (2003) published a study on the impact of social networks on media bias perceptions in the US, showing that individuals with like-minded interpersonal networks are more prone to hostile media perceptions; particularly those who hold right-wing views. Since then, little has been researched about the interpersonal antecedents of perceived media bias. In this study we address this gap by investigating the role of safe, or like-minded, political discussions on individuals’ likelihood to perceive media as hostile. We use survey data from more than 5,000 individuals in Germany, and account for both individual and situational factors. Our findings reveal that being located in social settings sharing political views increases the likelihood to perceive hostile media bias, particularly among those who are more engaged and ideologically to the left. The implications of our results for the study of spill-over communication effects are discussed.

Authors

• Laia Castro Herrero, U of Zurich

• David Nicolas Hopmann, U of Southern Denmark

• Lilach Nir, Hebrew U