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Hostile Media and Friendly Chambers: Social Media Polarization and the 2024 U.S. Campus Protests

  • Ran Wei
  • , Jing Guo*
  • , Xinzhi Zhang
  • , Ven-hwei Lo
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

Abstract

This study examines the predictors and behavioral outcomes of hostile media perception of campus protest. Data from a national online survey of 1010 respondents during the 2024 American campus protests show that hostile media perception fueled strategic social media activity – strengthening in-group bonds and disengaging from opponents. Additionally, conspiracy beliefs moderated these effects, intensifying or reducing the impact of hostile media perception on polarized social media behavior, depending on belief strength. © 2026 Broadcast Education Association.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages18
JournalJournal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media
DOIs
Publication statusOnline published - 12 Mar 2026

Funding

This study was supported by a start-up grant from Hong Kong Baptist University Grant #[162970].

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