Changing Pattern and Gratification of Consuming News from Social Media: Understanding Bangladeshi Audience Behavior Regarding COVID-19 Related News during Pandemic
The enhancement of new media has reshaped and evolved the structure of a message and the audience. Though traditional or mainstream media are treated as more credible to the masses but the linear structure of audience feedback creates a significant difference between the two media. Audience control, and interactivity by using digital platforms empowered Audience. Moreover, the Third screen (mobile media) with its ‘Everything, Everywhere’ nature increases information accessibility. As a result, gratifications of consuming information are in a state of change. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a pandemic on Jan 30, 2020. This created a public concern and forced the general people to seek information in the most accessible ways. For most people, it’s the digital media. In these contexts, the study will help to determine contemporary trends and readership gratification or satisfaction. Specifically, the readers who regularly read, share, and engage themselves in COVID-related news from social media rather than traditional ones.
