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Journal of Health Communication
International Perspectives
Volume 26, 2021 - Issue 5
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Research Article

Evaluating the Effects of News-following, Volume and Content of News Coverage on Americans’ Risk Perceptions during the 2014-2016 Ebola Outbreak

Christopher D. Wirz1 Department of Life Sciences Communication, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USACorrespondence[email protected]
ORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-8990-5505
ORCID Icon,
Marcus Mayorga2 Decision Research, Eugene, USAORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5471-0655
ORCID Icon &
Branden B. Johnson2 Decision Research, Eugene, USAORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-2264-5419
ORCID Icon
Pages 328-338 | Published online: 29 Jun 2021
 
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Abstract

We used the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak to examine the relationships between risk perceptions and media coverage (volume and content). We analyzed how public opinion from longitudinal U.S. panel data related to the number of published news articles and the proportion that discussed risks. News following, volume and risk content were positively related to U.S. and global risk perceptions. Perceptions of U.S. risk declined at different rates, depending upon news attention and potential exposure to risk content. Both media volume and content were significant factors, suggesting scholars should focus more on combined effects of news media volu

me and content.

Notes

1 We omit perceptions of personal risk, as it exhibited no change over time (Mayorga & Johnson, Citation2018).

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