Journalism in the Generation Z Age - by D Jasun Carr & Mitchell T Bard (Hardcover)

About the Book

This book examines the ways in which Generation Z engages with and affects both traditional and emerging sources of journalism and media. The authors combine existing data and theory with original experiments to illustrate that, while Gen Z's journalism experiences are fundame...

Book Synopsis

This book examines how Generation Z, defined by their orientation as "social media natives," grew up in a media system centered around social media. D. Jasun Carr and Mitchell T. Bard explore how Gen Z consumes news media differently than other cohorts, and how this shift in consumption affects both the members of Gen Z, the media, and media scholarship. The authors take a media ecology approach to laying out the new media landscape in which Gen Z was raised, before looking at how this new ecology affects many of the traditional theories and underpinnings of media effects, media psychology, and journalism. Through the use of original experimental research and the compilation of extant theory and survey data, Carr and Bard argue that while members of Gen Z eschew the more traditional structures of the media ecosystem in favor of those that incorporate a social element, they nevertheless behave, in many ways, similarly to those who came before. Scholars of communication, media studies, social media, and journalism will find this book of particular interest.

Review Quotes

"Original research, media effects theory, and a history of US mass media combine for timely analysis of Generation Z's "revolutionary" attitudes toward news and media and their implications for journalism. Members of Gen Z, the first digital natives to mature untethered to mass media scheduling and formats, passively encounter journalism in social media feeds that bundle information (and disinformation) alongside messages and entertainment. Yet, studies show that Generation Z retains esteem for trustworthy news and can quickly find it. Gen Z also behaves similarly to earlier generations by seeking out information that aligns with already-held views. But their news consumption is "wholly unique," consisting mostly of clips and brief summaries. Partisan conclusions driven by social media cues, like comments and emojis, were as likely to occur in Gen Z participants as in cohorts consuming news in other venues: "That these instantaneous and unelaborated social cues can sway trust carries important societal implications [as] more of the population relies heavily on social media as a primary source of news." Free of finger-wagging, this exploration of Gen Z attitudes and perceptions adds to thinking about responsibly leveraging social media to preserve professional journalism. Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty; professionals." --Choice Reviews

"Journalism in the Generation Z Age takes readers seamlessly through the decades to the present while addressing different approaches to a technological and social revolution within our country. Key events and issues within society are researched and presented from what Gen-Z thinks and cares about with respect to news and media. Answers to the question as to how we got to this place in time help to make sense of it all. This is a must read for all generations!" --Mary Z. Ashlock, University of Louisville

Journalism in the Generation Z Age takes readers seamlessly through the decades to the present while addressing different approaches to a technological and social revolution within our country. Key events and issues within society are researched and presented from what Gen-Z thinks and cares about with respect to news and media. Answers to the question as to how we got to this place in time help to make sense of it all. This is a must read for all generations!

Original research, media effects theory, and a history of US mass media combine for timely analysis of Generation Z's "revolutionary" attitudes toward news and media and their implications for journalism. Members of Gen Z, the first digital natives to mature untethered to mass media scheduling and formats, passively encounter journalism in social media feeds that bundle information (and disinformation) alongside messages and entertainment. Yet, studies show that Generation Z retains esteem for trustworthy news and can quickly find it. Gen Z also behaves similarly to earlier generations by seeking out information that aligns with already-held views. But their news consumption is "wholly unique," consisting mostly of clips and brief summaries. Partisan conclusions driven by social media cues, like comments and emojis, were as likely to occur in Gen Z participants as in cohorts consuming news in other venues: "That these instantaneous and unelaborated social cues can sway trust carries important societal implications [as] more of the population relies heavily on social media as a primary source of news." Free of finger-wagging, this exploration of Gen Z attitudes and perceptions adds to thinking about responsibly leveraging social media to preserve professional journalism. Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty; professionals.

About the Author

D. Jasun Carr is associate professor of digital media at Idaho State University.
Mitchell T. Bard is associate professor in the Department of Media and Strategic Communication at Iona University.