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The social media platform TikTok is becoming an increasingly emerging space akin to a search engine, where news and information are shared and discovered, particularly amongst young adults. Whilst the majority of scholarly research on media trust in TikTok has concentrated on practices by professional journalists and news organizations, the entities represent only a fraction of the diverse actors, contributing to the platform's news-sharing media landscape. Notably, citizen journalists play a pivotal role in generating and disseminating war-related content on TikTok. TikTok personae have the ability to build strong relationships with followers. Such relationships, which carry great audience loyalty potential, are investigated through parasocial interaction in combination with the uses and gratifications theory. This study is a reception study of a young audience based primarily in Austria and Sweden which aims to investigate media trust in war-related content amongst ordinary individuals. Through focused interviews with 18 to 28-year-old TikTok users, reactions to viral videos will be assessed in order to establish trust factors and gain insights into their user behavior and news consumption habits on the app. Findings indicate that the TikTok algorithm influences young adults and they approach citizen- generated news content cautiously due to potential viral motives amongst creators, particularly when addressing sensitive topics such as the Israel-Gaza crisis. However, they recognize the value of opinionated content as a tool for young people to build an opinion on political topics. Keywords: Citizen Journalism, TikTok, War, Social Media Trust, Israel-Gaza Crisis, Para Social Interaction, Uses and Gratifications

The intent of this bachelor thesis is to specify the reasons why the young adult audience consumes the Swedish television quiz programs Alla mot alla and På spåret, which needs the programs might fulfill and the difference between the two programs. The study also reflects on the difference between similar quiz programs on commercial vs. public service television. To accomplish any results this study has completed six qualitative and semi-structured interviews. The respondents are in the age of 20 to 30 years and they all have consumed each show on a regular basis before the interviews have taken place. The young adult audience strives to obtain information, knowledge and entertainment from both of the two programs, but notices distinct differences in the use of language, humor and facts. The study also shows that the quiz programs fulfills the cognitive and emotional needs, but in different ways. The study relates to the uses and gratification theory and the genre theory. / Denna studie har analyserat hur den unga vuxna publiken ser på de svenska frågesportprogrammen På spåret och Alla mot alla, som verkar under Sveriges Television respektive Kanal 5. För att ta reda på det har sex kvalitativa forskningsintervjuer genomförts, där respondenterna i fråga är i 20 till 30 års ålder. Respondenterna har tittat på respektive frågesportprogram på regelbunden basis innan intervjuerna ägt rum. Syftet med studien har varit att reda ut varför den unga vuxna publiken tar del av frågesportprogrammen, vilka behov programmen uppfyller, vilka skillnader den unga vuxna publiken upplever samt hur de ser på public service kontra kommersiell tv. Det med dessa program som utgångspunkt. Studien har förhållit sig till uses and gratifications-teorin samt genreteorin. Det som studien kan visa är att den unga vuxna publiken kollar på frågesportprogrammen för att ta del av information, underhållning och kunskap. Studien visar också att frågesportprogrammen uppfyller de emotionella och kognitiva behoven, men på varierande sätt. Den unga vuxna publiken observerar ett flertal skillnader programmen emellan. Den största skillnaden är programmens genredefinition, då svaren tyder på att Alla mot alla anses vara en game show, medan På spåret anses vara en quiz show. Studien kan också konstatera att den unga vuxna publiken upplever tydliga skillnader, exempelvis språkbruk och jargong, mellan program som verkar under public service och kommersiella bolag.

This study intends to discover distinctions between two minority groups, Mormons and Orthodox Jews, compared to a mainstream Protestant group, the Methodists, in terms of newspaper behavior. It intends to probe for differences in newspaper readership frequency and uses (Berelson, 1949) between religious minority group members and majority group members. It originated with the belief that religion (type) and degree of ingroup identification in the minority communities (stronger) would lead to greater newspaper avoidance and limit newspaper use primarily for information/public affairs, rather than Berelson's (1949) other categorizations of socialization, respite, entertainment. Indeed, minority-majority distinctions did not hold. Important differences emerged between religious and more secular individuals in all communities. It was the degree of religiosity that most deeply impacted newspaper use, not denominational ties. The more individuals scored highly on a "religion-as-spiritual-quest" factor, the less they read newspapers, particularly the business newspaper. For "spiritual questors" of all denominations, the house of worship, with its myriad activities, served as a leisure-time base and, for them, recreational use of the newspaper was minimal. / Communication Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Communication)

Text in Afrikaans / Hierdie studie ondersoek die behoeftes van Afrikaanse televisiekykers aan Afrikaanse televisieprogramme te midde van die veranderinge wat sedert demokratisering aan die Suid-Afrikaanse medialandskap plaasvind. Hierdie behoeftes word ondersoek by wyse van 'n gevallestudie ender graad 10-leerders in Pretoria. Die gebruike- en bevredigingsbenadering dien as teoretiese onderbou vir die studie en die invloed van 'n aantal veranderlikes word ondersoek. Hierdie veranderlikes is televisiegerig (inhoud, aanbod en struktuur van Afrikaanse programme), tegnologiegerig (nuwe mediategnologiee socs satelliettelevisie en die Internet) en kykergerig (sosio-kulturele, persoonlike en demografiese faktore). Die studie bevind dat daar 'n verband is tussen hierdie veranderlikes en respondente se behoeftes aan Afrikaanse televisieprogramme. Die studie bevind dat Afrikaanse programme nie respondente se behoeftes bevredig nie. Nuwe mediategnologiee verbreed respondente se sosio-kulturele horlE;onne sodat hulle gemaklik met programme in Engels omgaan. Te midde van die toenemende aanbod van oorsese programme in Engels, neem die behoefte aan Afrikaanse programme af. / This study investigates the need for Afrikaans television programmes among Afrikaans viewers in the changing media environment in South Africa. Needs are studied by means of a case study among grade 10 learners in Pretoria. The uses and gratifications approach serves as the theoretical framework of the study and a number of variables are investigated. These variables are television driven (supply, content and structure), technology driven (new media technologies such as satellite television and the Internet) and viewer driven (socio-cultural, personal and demographic factors). The study finds that there is a connection between these variables and the need for Afrikaans programmes among respondents. The supply, content and structure of Afrikaans programmes do not gratify respondents' needs. New media technologies broaden respondents' socio-cultural horizons, enabling them to comfortably watch English programmes. Amidst the increasing supply of overseas programmes in English, the need for Afrikaans programmes is diminishing / Communication Science / M. A. (Kommunikasiekunde)

Ce mémoire examine l'adoption des téléphones mobiles et l'utilisation des messages texte (SMS) par les adolescents chinois, selon la théorie des usages et gratifications et de la recherche sur la communication par ordinateur. Certains champs particuliers de l'utilisation des messages textes par les adolescents chinois, comme le contrôle parental, la circulation des chaînes de messages, la popularité des messages de salutations et l'utilisation répandue des émoticônes ont été étudiés. La fonction sociale des SMS, plus particulièrement des pratiques sociales et des relations émotionnelles des adolescents chinois, a également été explorée. Cette étude est basée sur un sondage réalisé sur le terrain auprès de 100 adolescents chinois. Elle révèle que chez les adolescents chinois, les deux principales raisons pour l'adoption du téléphone mobile sont l'influence parentale et le besoin de communication sociale. Quant à l'utilisation des messages texte, elle répond à sept usages et gratifications : la flexibilité, le coût modique, l’intimité, éviter l'embarras, le divertissement, l'engouement et l'évasion. Il a également été observé que les messages texte jouent un rôle positif dans la construction et l'entretien des relations sociales des adolescents chinois. / This thesis examined the adoption of mobile phones and use of SMS among Chinese teenagers based on the uses and gratification theory and computer-mediated communication research. Specific areas of Chinese teenagers’ SMS use, such as parental control, the circulation of chain messages, the popularity of greeting messages and the wide use of emoticons were studied. The social functions of SMS, especially in Chinese teenagers’ social-emotional practice, were explored as well. This study is based on a field survey conducted among one hundred Chinese teenagers. It reveals that, for Chinese teenagers, the two main reasons for the adoption of mobile phones are parental influence and the need for social communication; the use of SMS corresponds to seven uses and gratifications: flexibility, low cost, privacy, embarrassment avoidance, entertainment, fad and escape. SMS is also used by Chinese teenagers to build and maintain their social relationships.

Text in English / Born at a time of abundance of technology, including new media, e-teens have their lives woven around the use of new media technologies to the extent that they virtually do everything with the aid of these technologies, including learning, playing, socialising and communicating. E-teens, besides, demonstrate marked expertise in the use of these technologies. Although there have been various studies done on this group of users supported by models and theories on the use, gratifications and appropriation of new media technologies, the premise of this study was on two assumptions. First, there are limited studies that have been conducted in the sub-Saharan African context, especially, Ghana. Second, most available theories and models that guide the study of e-teens’ use, appropriation and the use of new media technologies are generalized and do not sufficiently highlight the unique attributes and gratification needs that are tied to their developmental stage. In light of these assumptions, the study was undertaken to provide empirical evidence on the types of new media e-teens have access to; the types of new media used by e-teens in their scheme of things and e-teens’ purposes for using new media. It also sought to find out the gratifications sought and obtained from the use of new media technologies by e-teens; the key features of new media appropriation and experience among e-teens and to identify the features of new media technologies which are most appealing to e-teens. The other objective, which serves as the main contribution of this study, was to develop a conceptual model representing new media use and appropriation among e-teens, thereby filling the theoretical or conceptual gap that exists in this context. The study adopted a quantitative approach whereby data was collected using close-5ended questionnaires. The target population were teens from age 13 to 19 in senior high schools in the Greater Accra region of Ghana, selected using a simple random sampling. The results of the study show that, overall, the most popular new media technology that e-teens had access to and owned was the smartphone. Leading among the apps that e-teens found to be appealing were educational, entertainment and information/news, with communicative and participatory features of new media technologies appealing to e-teens highly. Also, educational, sociability and social inclusion, respectively, were the most popular gratifications sought and obtained by e-teens. It is submitted that social inclusion, educational and sociability gratifications are considered to be directly in line with the unique developmental needs of e-teens. However, it is recommended, among other things, that educational use of new media, which was one of the strong points for new media use, should be further encouraged as new media provides borderless opportunities forlearning. The researcher believes that the conceptual model for e-teen use and appropriation of new media technologies provide a firm ground for further research on topics related to this subject matter. To provide support and substance to the e-teen model, other researchers are encouraged to test and extend it where necessary. In conclusion, the findings provide evidence that new media technologies are highly appropriated by e-teens because the technologies help them meet their unique gratification needs. Therefore, the study recommends that, although new media use among e-teens can be encouraged, it is important to ensure proper usage, which will not be detrimental to them. / Communication Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Communication)

Ce mémoire examine l'adoption des téléphones mobiles et l'utilisation des messages texte (SMS) par les adolescents chinois, selon la théorie des usages et gratifications et de la recherche sur la communication par ordinateur. Certains champs particuliers de l'utilisation des messages textes par les adolescents chinois, comme le contrôle parental, la circulation des chaînes de messages, la popularité des messages de salutations et l'utilisation répandue des émoticônes ont été étudiés. La fonction sociale des SMS, plus particulièrement des pratiques sociales et des relations émotionnelles des adolescents chinois, a également été explorée. Cette étude est basée sur un sondage réalisé sur le terrain auprès de 100 adolescents chinois. Elle révèle que chez les adolescents chinois, les deux principales raisons pour l'adoption du téléphone mobile sont l'influence parentale et le besoin de communication sociale. Quant à l'utilisation des messages texte, elle répond à sept usages et gratifications : la flexibilité, le coût modique, l’intimité, éviter l'embarras, le divertissement, l'engouement et l'évasion. Il a également été observé que les messages texte jouent un rôle positif dans la construction et l'entretien des relations sociales des adolescents chinois. / This thesis examined the adoption of mobile phones and use of SMS among Chinese teenagers based on the uses and gratification theory and computer-mediated communication research. Specific areas of Chinese teenagers’ SMS use, such as parental control, the circulation of chain messages, the popularity of greeting messages and the wide use of emoticons were studied. The social functions of SMS, especially in Chinese teenagers’ social-emotional practice, were explored as well. This study is based on a field survey conducted among one hundred Chinese teenagers. It reveals that, for Chinese teenagers, the two main reasons for the adoption of mobile phones are parental influence and the need for social communication; the use of SMS corresponds to seven uses and gratifications: flexibility, low cost, privacy, embarrassment avoidance, entertainment, fad and escape. SMS is also used by Chinese teenagers to build and maintain their social relationships.