‘Old news, young views’: how UK news providers engage young adult audiences (aged 16-34) on digital and social media platforms

Hawthorne, Leon (2020). ‘Old news, young views’: how UK news providers engage young adult audiences (aged 16-34) on digital and social media platforms. University of Birmingham. M.A.

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Abstract

This thesis examines the changing patterns of news consumption by young adults in the United Kingdom, aged 16 to 34 years old, and the editorial responses to this by leading television news broadcasters. It begins with a comprehensive review of the most recent literature on incidental news exposure, personalisation, echo chambers and filter bubbles; combining this with analyses of key reports by industry and governmental sources.

It proposes a new taxonomy of news consumption behaviours, and a new visual taxonomy of news using the RGB (red, green, blue) colour spectrum.

Senior editors at ITV News, Channel 4 News, 5 News and Sky News were interviewed to provide insights into current digital strategies. The broadcasters’ feedback to a questionnaire were studied for empirical evidence on audience behaviour, editorial decision making, and positioning within the aforementioned conceptual frameworks.

This thesis concludes with a negation of the view that emerging news consumption patterns are problematic for political engagement. Instead it finds bold solutions within the industry’s best practices and the literature for how broadcasters could reform their organisational structures to better serve young adult audiences.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.A.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.A.

Supervisor(s):