After two very different research papers about the news audience received exceptional reviews and almost perfect scores, it was decided to give the 2023 AEJMC News Audience Research Paper Award to two research papers. Abstracts of the 2023 winning papers are posted below.
First Place Winner
Comparing Effects of News Subscription Motivation and News Lifestyle and Their Impact on Subscription Retention by Weiyue Chen, Butler, and Esther Thorson, Michigan State University
Abstract: This study employs a sample of American news subscribers (N=497), examining their motivations to pay for news, news lifestyle, and the likelihood of keeping their primary news subscriptions in the next three, six, and 12 months. We found motivations to support journalism and consumers’ perception of greater gratification opportunities led to higher retention, whereas affordability motivation and news overload demonstrated a negative impact. Implications for how news companies can best maintain subscription revenue are elaborated.
AND
First Place Winner
News for the Ages: An Examination of Trust Factors by Generational Cohort by Amy Jo Coffey and Chris DeFelice, University of Florida
Abstract: The relationship between age and news media trust is an urgent and unsettled question. A secondary analysis of data was conducted (N=13,540), revealing statistically significant differences between generational cohorts. Younger news consumers are paying greater attention to sources within stories, and the oldest news consumers are paying the least. Younger news consumers also view factors used in evaluating the trustworthiness of news stories as more important than the older generations, suggesting greater skepticism or discernment.
