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Media Use and Satisfaction with Democracy: Testing the Role of Political Interest

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  • Wen-Chun Chang

    (National Taipei University)

Abstract

In the process of political communication, media use has strong influences on citizens’ attitudes toward politics. However, the importance of political interest in shaping the relationship between media use and satisfaction with democracy has not been extensively studied. This study makes a contribution to identify the role of political interest in mediating the effects of media use on satisfaction with democracy. Consistent with the virtuous circle theory, the findings from this study show that there are significantly positive associations between reading a newspaper, listening to the radio, and using the Internet for political information and political interest. Citizens who are more interested in politics also tend to be more satisfied with democracy. By contrast, in accordance with the media malaise theory, our results also show that reading a newspaper, listening to the radio, and using the Internet for political information are negatively related to satisfaction with democracy. Distinct from existing literature, our findings indicate that the indirect positive effects of media use mediated by political interest are outweighed by the negative direct effects of media use on satisfaction with democracy. Hence, the relative magnitudes of direct and indirect effects are critical for the overall effects of media use on satisfaction with democracy.

Suggested Citation

  • Wen-Chun Chang, 2018. "Media Use and Satisfaction with Democracy: Testing the Role of Political Interest," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 140(3), pages 999-1016, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:140:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s11205-017-1806-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-017-1806-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joël Cariolle & Yasmine Elkhateeb & Mathilde Maurel, 2022. "(Mis-)information technology: Internet use and perception of democracy in Africa," Documents de travail du Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne 22010, Université Panthéon-Sorbonne (Paris 1), Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne.
    2. Cariolle, Joël & Elkhateeb, Yasmine & Maurel, Mathilde, 2024. "Misinformation technology: Internet use and political misperceptions in Africa," Journal of Comparative Economics, Elsevier, vol. 52(2), pages 400-433.
    3. Yang, Wei & Hu, Bo, 2022. "Catastrophic health expenditure and mental health in the older Chinese population: the moderating role of social health insurance," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 110968, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    4. Elina Simone & Lorenzo Cicatiello & Giuseppe Lucio Gaeta & Mauro Pinto, 2022. "Expectations About Future Economic Prospects and Satisfaction with Democracy: Evidence from European Countries during the COVID-19 Crisis," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 159(3), pages 1017-1033, February.

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