Abstract

The research reveals the differences in audience perceived credibility between an athlete's tweets and a sports reporter's story. Because audiences are drawn to Twitter accounts of athletes, the reporters' sources have become their competition. The study also investigates the difference between how often audiences choose Twitter over a reporter's story to obtain their sports news. A survey of n RIT students measured how often participants obtain sports news from sports reporters' print or online stories and athlete's personal Twitter accounts. The audience's perceived credibility of the sources was also measured. Findings suggest audiences choose online articles as their source for sports news although heavy sports fans also use Twitter. Overall, sports reporters' articles are perceived as more credible.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Communication in sportsTwitter--Public opinion; Mass media and sports; Truthfulness and falsehood

Publication Date

7-11-2011

Document Type

Thesis

Department, Program, or Center

Department of Communication (CLA)

Advisor

Austin, Bruce

Advisor/Committee Member

Dwyer, Laurie

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works. Physical copy available through RIT's The Wallace Library at: TK5105.8884 .F678 2011

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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