The International Journal of Press/Politics

In our latest open-access publication, Waqas Ejaz, Mary Sanford, and Richard Fletcher examined how different types of media influence people’s willingness to adopt pro-climate behaviours across countries. Using survey data from 8,541 respondents in Brazil, France, Germany, India, Japan, Pakistan, the UK, and the US, the study explores how climate anxiety and media trust shape these effects. The findings show that mainstream news use consistently predicts stronger intentions to act on climate change, while non-mainstream media have more context-dependent impacts. Climate anxiety emerges as a strong predictor of behavioural intent, though it is not always driven by news use. Media trust amplifies the direct effects of mainstream news but does not moderate the indirect pathway through anxiety. Overall, the study reveals a striking level of cross-national consistency in how news use, trust, and emotion shape climate engagement. Yon can read the article here: https://lnkd.in/gM9sjmJj

When I introduced the Replication Study submission type at The International Journal of Press/Politics earlier this year, our goal was to promote transparency, robustness, and cumulative knowledge in the field, and to strengthen our commitment to open science. I am delighted to see that vision come to life with our first published replication by Sacha Altay, Emma Hoes (Dr.) & Magdalena Wojcieszak which reinforces findings on how news use supports resilience to misinformation. Read the study here: https://lnkd.in/gzN-ec8q

 In our latest open-access publication, Linette Lim examined how authoritarian regimes shape media coverage by foreign correspondents. Focusing on China, and drawing on more than fifty interviews with current and former foreign correspondents, the study reveals subtle yet powerful tools of control that extend beyond propaganda and surveillance. These include legal ambiguity that deters reporting, an atmosphere of uncertainty for journalists and sources, and the mobilization of citizens to obstruct reporting. The findings show that journalists respond by concealing their activities to uphold professional standards or by conforming to local restrictions. The study deepens our understanding of how state power is quietly contested and reproduced in authoritarian contexts. You can read the article here: https://lnkd.in/gsh3_rAs

In our latest publication, Alyaa Anter and Nermeen Ibrahim explore how Arab journalists navigate news gatekeeping on social media. Drawing on gatekeeping theory and platform governance, the study combines in-depth interviews with 24 multimedia journalists, social media specialists, and managers, alongside a survey of 171 journalists across four Arab countries. Journalists viewed algorithms as powerful intermediaries shaping their professional practices and news values. Many reported shadow banning and content removal, especially when covering sensitive political issues such as Palestine. To cope, journalists adapt to or circumvent algorithmic restrictions. The study highlights the urgent need for greater transparency in algorithmic curation to ensure fair and diverse political news representation. You can read the article here: https://lnkd.in/e2nwKHSw

New publication about the reciprocal agenda-setting processes surrounding the #EUChinaTrade debate between media and politics (spoiler: a prominent role for the Far-Right) in the The International Journal of Press/Politics.   Our study, "Who Takes the Lead?" led by Xiaoyang Zhao and with Rens Vliegenthart, Knut De Swert reveals a reciprocal agenda-setting dynamic between the European Parliament and national media (NL/UK, 2001–2020). We demonstrate that this reciprocal relationship is particularly prominent concerning the agenda set by Far-Right MEPs. Crucially, we also find the reciprocity is pronounced in proximate issues (e.g., EU imports from China) but absent in less proximate ones (e.g., EU exports to China). This study offers new insights into how politics and media influence each other across national and supranational levels, shedding light on the complexities of EU multi-level governance. Available here (open-access): https://lnkd.in/eC_5E4CW

In our latest open access publication, Ming M. Boyer, Cal le Gall and Carolina Plescia explore how negative campaigning shapes the way citizens understand voting itself. Using preregistered analyses from the 2022 Hungarian and U.S. elections, the study shows that negative and “anti-voting” meanings, such as seeing voting as opposing others or as pointless, are widespread and linked to parties’ use of “dirty” campaign tactics. However, survey experiments reveal that only the most extreme messages shift these anti-voting attitudes. The findings highlight that meanings of voting are key democratic orientations, closely tied to campaign behavior but largely stable unless challenged by relatively extreme stimuli. You can read the article here: https://lnkd.in/g54rR6cw

In our latest open access publication, Jade Vrielink, Rens Vliegenthart, Annelien Van Remoortere, and Sanne Kruikemeier examined how online political ads shape what issues matter to voters. Using data from the 2021 Dutch general election and the 2022 U.S. midterms, and combining mobile experience sampling, screenshot donations, and content analysis, the study finds that exposure to online ads increases issue salience among voters. However, there’s little evidence that campaigns successfully target people based on their issue priorities. The findings shed light on how digital persuasion influences voter attention across different political contexts. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gyYSVQTK

In our latest open access publication, Jade Vrielink, Rens Vliegenthart, Annelien Van Remoortere, and Sanne Kruikemeier examined how online political ads shape what issues matter to voters. Using data from the 2021 Dutch general election and the 2022 U.S. midterms, and combining mobile experience sampling, screenshot donations, and content analysis, the study finds that exposure to online ads increases issue salience among voters. However, there’s little evidence that campaigns successfully target people based on their issue priorities. The findings shed light on how digital persuasion influences voter attention across different political contexts. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gyYSVQTK

In our latest publication, Kelechi Amakoh examines how negative campaigning shapes trust in elections. Drawing on Afrobarometer data from 18 African countries, the study finds that attack-focused messages fuel cynicism, weaken confidence in politicians, and heighten doubts about electoral fairness—especially where electoral management bodies (EMBs) lack independence. Yet when EMBs are highly autonomous, negativity doesn’t erode trust and can even strengthen it, as institutional safeguards reassure voters. The findings highlight how the integrity of electoral institutions shapes the democratic consequences of campaign strategies. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gmPVeuBb

In our latest publication, Kelechi Amakoh examines how negative campaigning shapes trust in elections. Drawing on Afrobarometer data from 18 African countries, the study finds that attack-focused messages fuel cynicism, weaken confidence in politicians, and heighten doubts about electoral fairness—especially where electoral management bodies (EMBs) lack independence. Yet when EMBs are highly autonomous, negativity doesn’t erode trust and can even strengthen it, as institutional safeguards reassure voters. The findings highlight how the integrity of electoral institutions shapes the democratic consequences of campaign strategies. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gmPVeuBb