Media Determinism or Media Amplification: Model Comparisons on Media Effects During Crises

Yi-Hui Christine Huang; Ruoheng Liu; Leyi Zhang; Qinxian Cai; Haodong Liu; Xiaohui Wang

Media Determinism or Media Amplification: Model Comparisons on Media Effects During Crises

Department of Media and Communication

Research output: Conference Papers › RGC 32 - Refereed conference paper (without host publication) › peer-review

Abstract

This study investigates the role of media in risk communication during crises by comparing two theoretical perspectives. The first paradigm views media as a determining factor, while the second sees media as a mediator. The study analyzes two survey data sets: cross-sectional data on nuclear waste issues from eight regions (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, the U.S., and the U.K.; N = 8,591) and longitudinal panel data on the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong (N = 920). Results consistently support the first paradigm. Individuals’ willingness to adopt preventive measures highly depends on the media constructed risks.

Original language	English
Publication status	Presented - 14 Jun 2025
Event	75^th Annual ICA Conference (ICA 2025): Disrupting and Consolidating Communication Research - Denver, United States Duration: 12 Jun 2025 → 16 Jun 2025 https://www.icahdq.org/mpage/ICA25

Conference

Conference	75^th Annual ICA Conference (ICA 2025)
Abbreviated title	ICA25
Place	United States
City	Denver
Period	12/06/25 → 16/06/25
Internet address	https://www.icahdq.org/mpage/ICA25

Funding

The research was supported by City University of Hong Kong [Grant number 9610573, 9361013, and 7200712].

Research Keywords

Media effects
Risk perception
Cross-culture
Crisis communication
Nuclear waste
COVID-19

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title = "Media Determinism or Media Amplification: Model Comparisons on Media Effects During Crises",

abstract = "This study investigates the role of media in risk communication during crises by comparing two theoretical perspectives. The first paradigm views media as a determining factor, while the second sees media as a mediator. The study analyzes two survey data sets: cross-sectional data on nuclear waste issues from eight regions (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, the U.S., and the U.K.; N = 8,591) and longitudinal panel data on the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong (N = 920). Results consistently support the first paradigm. Individuals{\textquoteright} willingness to adopt preventive measures highly depends on the media constructed risks.",

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T1 - Media Determinism or Media Amplification

T2 - 75<sup>th</sup> Annual ICA Conference (ICA 2025)

AU - Huang, Yi-Hui Christine

AU - Liu, Ruoheng

AU - Zhang, Leyi

AU - Cai, Qinxian

AU - Liu, Haodong

AU - Wang, Xiaohui

PY - 2025/6/14

Y1 - 2025/6/14

N2 - This study investigates the role of media in risk communication during crises by comparing two theoretical perspectives. The first paradigm views media as a determining factor, while the second sees media as a mediator. The study analyzes two survey data sets: cross-sectional data on nuclear waste issues from eight regions (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, the U.S., and the U.K.; N = 8,591) and longitudinal panel data on the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong (N = 920). Results consistently support the first paradigm. Individuals’ willingness to adopt preventive measures highly depends on the media constructed risks.

AB - This study investigates the role of media in risk communication during crises by comparing two theoretical perspectives. The first paradigm views media as a determining factor, while the second sees media as a mediator. The study analyzes two survey data sets: cross-sectional data on nuclear waste issues from eight regions (Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, the U.S., and the U.K.; N = 8,591) and longitudinal panel data on the COVID-19 pandemic in Hong Kong (N = 920). Results consistently support the first paradigm. Individuals’ willingness to adopt preventive measures highly depends on the media constructed risks.

KW - Media effects

KW - Risk perception

KW - Cross-culture

KW - Crisis communication

KW - Nuclear waste

KW - COVID-19

M3 - RGC 32 - Refereed conference paper (without host publication)

Y2 - 12 June 2025 through 16 June 2025

ER -

Media Determinism or Media Amplification: Model Comparisons on Media Effects During Crises

Abstract

Conference

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Research Keywords

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