Ethos of news media vs social movements
An explorative study about changing attitudes towards climate change
Keywords:
ethos, news media, climate movement, information dissemination, collective action, emotional appealAbstract
Research on climate change has focused on news media’s framing of climate issues. With a shifting media landscape, news media face increased competition from other actors, including climate movement groups. This study examines how credibility and trustworthiness of a source (source ethos) influences attitudes toward information dissemination and collective action on climate change. Respondents (N = 507) were randomly assigned to news stories that varied in source ethos – legacy media (Dagens Nyheter), a conventional climate movement group (Fridays for Future), and a disruptive climate movement group (Extinction Rebellion) – as well as emotional appeals (hope, fear, balanced). While most results were not significant, Fridays for Future seems more effective in shifting attitudes on information dissemination in the balanced and hope conditions. Dagens Nyheter and Fridays for Future influenced attitudes toward collective action in balanced conditions. Findings suggest that source ethos shapes climate perceptions and that different sources play distinct roles in raising awareness and mitigating action.
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