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AbstractRecent research proposed self-report measures tapping three different strategies used by people to place themselves within an ideologically homogeneous information environment: selective approach, selective avoidance, and the belief in the importance of silencing others (BISO). Using online survey data collected in Israel (n = 749), the present investigation explores the discriminant validity of these constructs. Confirmatory factor model comparisons support their empirical differentiation. In addition, it is argued that the constructs are empirically different given the fact that they correlate differently with personality factors. BISO is more strongly and positively associated with authoritarianism. Selective avoidance is more strongly negatively associated with openness to experience. Selective approach was positively associated with empathy, with which selective avoidance was negatively associated.

Selective exposure is a popular research construct, but the strategies used to operationalize ideologically congruent exposure in contemporary correlational research are problematic. This article offers a novel approach, asking people directly about their tendency to seek information that is ideologically congruent with their opinions. A new measure for the tendency toward congruent selective exposure is proposed and was tested on three different data sets. In all three studies, confirmatory factor analysis revealed a two-factor model, with one factor representing the tendency to select congruent information and the other representing the tendency to avoid incongruent information.

"This chapter integrates literature on both expectations toward and perceptions of media. The author argues that those expectations and perceptions are important explanatory variables for the selection and effects of media. The chapter brings together ideas from the uses-and-gratifications tradition, from research on hostile media and third person perceptions, and from media credibility research in a model of the uses and perceptions of media. In the model audience perceptions are introduced as important antecedents of media use as well as of future expectations toward media. The chapter emphasizes the importance of media perceptions as their effects are not limited to an attitudinal level, but also regard political participation, voting and other behavioral responses. The chapter concludes with a call for more scholarly efforts linking uses and perceptions of media in political communication research." (publisher's description)

Based on the premise that online journalism offers readers with some features that may serve as an alternative to traditional journalism, this article explores possible associations between mistrust in mainstream news media and consumption of online news. Results from a telephone survey and an online survey demonstrate that the association between mistrust of mainstream news and exposure to online news in general is negative. But whereas mainstream exposure is related to trust in media, exposure to nonmainstream sites is related to media skepticism. The findings also shed some light on the factors contributing to audience trust in online news.

A sample of Israeli journalists (n = 209) were asked whether they feel Israeli audiences trust the Israeli media in general, and whether their audience trusts the work of their news media outlet in particular. The correlates of these survey items are examined. Results show that perceived audience trust was correlated with journalists' own trust in the Israeli media and with journalists' evaluation of the audience. Perceived trust was also positively correlated with journalists' identification with professional standards such as neutrality, verification, and factualness. In contrast, perceived audience trust was not correlated with most demographic and professional status variables.

Rather than studying the effects of a programmed debate per se, this article examines the "total information environment" that surrounds the debate. A model explaining how people make judgments about the "winner" of a debate is suggested and tested on survey data ( N = 748) collected in the days following the second 1996 presidential debate. Results demonstrate that consumption of debate-related news coverage, interpersonal discussion about the debate, and prior candidate attitudes are associated with perceptions of the winner of the debate. In addition, exposure to news coverage of the debate significantly interacted with exposure to the actual debate, so that the impact of news coverage was stronger for those watching little of the actual debate.

Rather than studying the effects of a programmed debate per se, this article examines the "total information environment" that surrounds the debate. A model explaining how people make judgments about the "winner" of a debate is suggested & tested on survey data (N = 748) collected in the days following the second 1996 presidential debate. Results demonstrate that consumption of debate-related news coverage, interpersonal discussion about the debate, & prior candidate attitudes are associated with perceptions of the winner of the debate. In addition, exposure to news coverage of the debate significantly interacted with exposure to the actual debate, so that the impact of news coverage was stronger for those watching little of the actual debate. 1 Table, 1 Appendix, 35 References. [Copyright 2003 Sage Publications, Inc.]

Several theoretical standpoints argue that the news media have a strong influence on audiences' perceptions of the social opinion climate. However, these theories sometimes ignore the active & critical role played by audiences in their interaction with news sources. This paper explores the association between opinion climate perceptions & audience mistrust of the news media. Data collected during the US presidential campaign of 2000 (N = 501) are used to test the hypothesis that media skepticism plays a part in the perception of the climate of opinion. Findings show that when people did not trust the media, they tended to reject the mediated climate of opinion. On the other hand, when people had faith in the media, they tended to consistently converge with the media's election predictions. Implications for media scholars are discussed. 1 Table, 1 Appendix, 59 References. Adapted from the source document.

Demographics, political discussion with people in the immediate environment, individual political tendencies, & newspaper readership as factors in trust/mistrust of pre-election media polls were investigated with a secondary analysis of data from J. Shamir & A. Arian's study (1999) with 1,671 Israelis on political skepticism. Exposure to polls was high, but trust in polls was low. Multivariate analysis showed that religiosity & ethnicity were not associated with higher trust in polls, but political conversations, individual political tendencies, & newspaper readership were. Right-wing leanings were associated with distrust in polls. The interaction of these variables with different population groupings is discussed. The findings support projection theory & the influence of reference groups in political opinions. 2 Tables, 1 Appendix, 21 References. M. Pflum