Evaluating the Effects of News-following, Volume and Content of News Coverage on Americans’ Risk Perceptions during the 2014-2016 Ebola Outbreak

Christopher D. Wirz, Marcus Mayorga, Branden B. Johnson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

We used the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak to examine the relationships between risk perceptions and media coverage (volume and content). We analyzed how public opinion from longitudinal U.S. panel data related to the number of published news articles and the proportion that discussed risks. News following, volume and risk content were positively related to U.S. and global risk perceptions. Perceptions of U.S. risk declined at different rates, depending upon news attention and potential exposure to risk content. Both media volume and content were significant factors, suggesting scholars should focus more on combined effects of news media volu me and content.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)328-338
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Health Communication
Volume26
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021

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