Visible and invisible countries: News flow theory revised

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In this paper the validity and limits of the news flow theory are examined, utilizing a large digital corpus of 35 popular news sites in 10 different languages over a three-year period. Three key variables were identified: GDP, foreign population and conflict intensity, collectively accounting for more than 70% of the variance of country prominence in the news. After offering a robust model, over-represented and under-represented countries are listed and divided based on their different characteristics and news trends.Findings show that conflicts tend to be visible only if they are in the Middle East. Over-represented regional centers in West Europe and Asia overshadow the under-represented regional peripheries in East Europe and the Middle East. Finally, the US and Africa serve as a global center and a periphery respectively. The implications of these findings are discussed in order to invite scholars to further expand the theory and the explanatory model accordingly.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)412-428
Number of pages17
JournalJournalism
Volume16
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 19 Apr 2015

Keywords

  • News flow theory
  • country prominence
  • news sites
  • over- and under-representation

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Communication
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)

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