Hostile Media and Friendly Chambers: Social Media Polarization and the 2024 U.S. Campus Protests
Abstract
This study examines the predictors and behavioral outcomes of hostile media perception of campus protest. Data from a national online survey of 1010 respondents during the 2024 American campus protests show that hostile media perception fueled strategic social media activity – strengthening in-group bonds and disengaging from opponents. Additionally, conspiracy beliefs moderated these effects, intensifying or reducing the impact of hostile media perception on polarized social media behavior, depending on belief strength.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Social Media and Politics
Misinformation and Its Impacts
Media Influence and Politics
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media
- Volume
- 70
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 319–336
- Publication date
- 12 March 2026
- Language
- EN