NEWS MEDIA USE AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN THE PERSPECTIVE OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: SOCIAL CAPITAL AND CIVIC ACCOUNTABILITY AS MEDIATING MECHANISM

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between news media use and civic engagement. The investigation also examines the mediating role of social capital and civic accountability between news media use and civic attitude/behavior. Uses and gratification theory provides the theoretical framework for the study. Using a cross-sectional survey design, this study collects data from 367 respondents. Findings using structural equation modeling reveal that news media has positive effects on civic behavior. News media has a significant relationship with social capital and civic accountability. Furthermore, civic accountability plays a positive mediating role between news media use and civic attitude/behavior. The relationship between news media use and civic behavior is also mediated by social capital. No relationship was found between news media and civic attitude. In terms of civic attitude, the results of the direct and indirect effects of social capital also remain statistically nonsignificant.