Applicability of the Informational Utility Model for Radio News.

The informational utility model states that (a) message utility increases as the intensity of the magnitude, likelihood, and immediacy of outcomes conveyed in the message increases, and that (b) increased utility leads to increased selection of the message. This study tests the model with radio news...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly Vol. 85; no. 3; pp. 577 - 591
Main Author: Carpentier, Francesca R. Dillman
Format: Article
Published: Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication Autumn2008
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Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
Description
Summary:The informational utility model states that (a) message utility increases as the intensity of the magnitude, likelihood, and immediacy of outcomes conveyed in the message increases, and that (b) increased utility leads to increased selection of the message. This study tests the model with radio news. Respondents listened to stories reflecting high or low intensity of one informational utility dimension. Afterward, respondents reported their retention and perceived relevance of each story. Results showed that individuals recalled more facts about stories of high, as opposed to low, utility; however, perceived relevance findings were nonsignificant. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.