An anatomy of the credibility of online newspapers
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discover the primary components of credibility of three types of online newspapers and how the credibility of news differs by type.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper participants were recruited at a large north‐eastern US university. All items of credibility scales were measured using seven‐point Likert‐type scales. For each of the three credibility scales, the mean was computed and the scales were analysed for similarities and differences. The scales were factor analysed to determine their underlying dimensions.
Findings
Three factors (expertise, trustworthiness, and attractiveness) were common to the three types, but the different factor structure of each type was identified. The result of multiple comparisons shows that the differences between all three types of online newspapers were significant. Also the summated scores of the mainstream type were the highest on most items. However, the summated score of the index type of online newspaper was the highest on attractiveness. Overall participants rated the independent type of online newspapers lowest in credibility.
Research limitations/implications
The limitations and implications of findings are examined in three dimensions: theoretical implications, implications for the online newspaper industry, and implications for strategic media use.
Originality/value
The paper divides online newspapers into three categories according to their characteristics: mainstream, independent, and index type. These three types of online newspapers were evaluated in terms of credibility structure, which made this study useful and unique.
Keywords
Citation
Joo Chung, C., Kim, H. and Hyun Kim, J. (2010), "An anatomy of the credibility of online newspapers", Online Information Review, Vol. 34 No. 5, pp. 669-685. https://doi.org/10.1108/14684521011084564
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2010, Emerald Group Publishing Limited