Document Type : .
Authors
1 Golestan University
2 Allameh Tabatabai University
Abstract
The flow of news through mass and social media has become a significant part of daily life for the Iranian population. In this space, audiences aim to engage actively as activists, yet they also encounter constraints related to time and energy. This study seeks to evaluate the role of news and news media, the audience's exposure patterns, and the specifics of their engagement with various news sources. Through qualitative research involving semi-structured interviews with 32 individuals in Tehran aged 18 and above, it was found that audiences develop a strong, enduring connection with news by selecting a personalized set of media outlets among the multitude available. This selection allows them to form a comprehensive understanding of current events within their self-defined information ecosystem, reflecting what is referred to in scholarly literature as their "media repertoire." The research suggests that audiences with lower engagement maintain a traditional pattern of news consumption characterized by minimal energy expenditure and limited exposure, supporting the continued relevance of ritual news consumption. The emergence of the "media repertoire" concept marks a significant evolution in understanding how audiences engage with news consumption rituals.
Keywords
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