Media-Hype Fatigue: Audience Evaluations of a Human-Interest Framed Media-Hype

Authors

  • Audun Beyer University of Oslo
  • Tine Ustad Figenschou University of Oslo

Keywords:

Human-interest framing, normative standards, illegal immigration, media-hype, burglar alarm

Abstract

Numerous studies have documented the media’s extensive focus on individual cases when reporting on immigration. In this article, we ask how the audience views such human-interest framing when a single story receives disproportionate attention. Employing an explorative survey of a representative sample of the population as the story peaked in the media, we found that the audience is highly critical of the media coverage, particularly regarding the scale and scope of the coverage. This points to an interesting paradox: the human-interest frame, meant to capture audience attention and engagement in a story, actually makes people tired and less engaged when overused.

Author Biographies

Audun Beyer, University of Oslo

Post doctoral research fellowDepartment of media and communication+4722850479

Tine Ustad Figenschou, University of Oslo

Post doctoral research fellowDepartment of media and communication+4722850414

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Published

2014-07-15

Issue

Vol. 8 (2014)

Section

Articles

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