Talk Radio Listening, Opinion Expression and Political Discussion in a Democratizing Society
2007; Routledge; Volume: 17; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1080/01292980601114588
ISSN1742-0911
Autores Tópico(s)Public Relations and Crisis Communication
ResumoPolitical discussions are important to a democratic society, and the media can play a significant role in generating political discussions by providing mediated public forums. Based upon these premises, this study conceptualizes talk radio listening as an ‘opinion activity’. It examines the relationship between talk radio listening and various forms of opinion expressions and political discussions in Hong Kong. Analysis of a survey (N =800) shows that talk radio listeners are more opinionated about public affairs. They discuss public affairs more frequently with their acquaintances. They are also more willing to express minority opinions, more active in political participation, and more positive towards the value of political debates in the society at large. Some of these relationships, however, are conditioned by the consonance between the audience's pre-existing political attitudes and the contents of the radio talk shows. The implications of the findings are discussed.
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