Abstract

Despite an “audience turn” in journalism studies, confusion persists about the experiences driving audience engagement. Young adults are especially intriguing in this regard, as they have grown up in digital environments, are less willing to pay for journalism, and lack key historical catalysts for the formation of news habits. Accordingly, this article investigates the information repertoires of this group, using a mixed-method approach to focus upon the preferences and experiences of Danish youth, aged 18–24. Crafting an innovative research design integrating individual interviews, Q-sort methodology, and think aloud protocols, the article explores five repertoires: the online traditionalist, depth-seeking audiophile, digital news seeker, interpersonal networker, and non-news information seeker. In these repertoires, “traditional” journalistic media is often eschewed, while “new” media come to the fore. The paper also examines two analytical themes cutting across repertoires: a tension between the seamlessness of where news is (“platform newsiness”) versus how it is conceptualized (“traditional journalism”); and the guiding role of face-to-face communication and social networks when engaging with news. In sum, by exploring the formation of information repertoires at this crucial life stage, the article provides insights into a key demographic, whose practices and preferences shape the news industry’s ongoing sustainability.

摘要

尽管新闻研究出现了“受众转向”，但对于推动受众参与的体验仍然存在困惑。年轻人在这方面特别有趣，因为他们在数字环境中长大，不太愿意为新闻付费，并且缺乏形成新闻习惯的关键历史催化剂。因此，本文调查了该群体的信息库，采用混合方法关注丹麦 18-24 岁青年的偏好和经历。本文设计了一个创新的研究设计，整合了个人访谈、Q-sort 方法和大声思考协议，探讨了五个曲目：在线传统主义者、寻求深度的音响发烧友、数字新闻搜索者、人际网络者和非新闻信息搜索者。在这些曲目中，“传统”新闻媒体经常被避开，而“新”媒体则脱颖而出。该论文还研究了两个跨领域的分析主题：新闻在哪里的无缝性（“平台新闻”）与它的概念化方式（“传统新闻”）之间的紧张关系；以及面对面交流和社交网络在接触新闻时的指导作用。总之，通过探索在这个关键生命阶段信息库的形成，本文提供了对关键人群的见解，他们的实践和偏好塑造了新闻业的持续可持续性。新闻在哪里的无缝性（“平台新闻”）与它的概念化方式（“传统新闻”）之间的紧张关系；以及面对面交流和社交网络在接触新闻时的指导作用。总之，通过探索在这个关键生命阶段信息库的形成，本文提供了对关键人群的见解，他们的实践和偏好塑造了新闻业的持续可持续性。新闻在哪里的无缝性（“平台新闻”）与它的概念化方式（“传统新闻”）之间的紧张关系；以及面对面交流和社交网络在接触新闻时的指导作用。总之，通过探索在这个关键生命阶段信息库的形成，本文提供了对关键人群的见解，他们的实践和偏好塑造了新闻业的持续可持续性。