journal: Online Media and Global Communication

Open Access Published since January 1, 2022

Online Media and Global Communication

ISSN: 2749-9049

Edited by: Louisa Ha, Peiqin Chen, Ke Guo

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About this journal

Online Media and Global Communication (OMGC) is a new venue for high quality articles on theories and methods about the role of online media in global communication.

This journal is sponsored by the Center for Global Public Opinion Research of China and School of Journalism and Communication, Shanghai International Studies University, China.

It is an Open Access journal published solely online in English. The journal aims to serve as an academic bridge in the research of online media and global communication between the dominating English-speaking world and the non-English speaking world that has remained mostly invisible due to language barriers.

Through its structured abstracts for all research articles and uniform keyword system in the United Nations’ official six languages plus Japanese and German (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish, Japanese, and German), the journal provides a highly accessible platform to users worldwide. Its unique dual track single-blind and double-blind review system facilitates manuscript reviews with different levels of author identities.　

OMGC publishes review essays on the state-of-the-art in online media and global communication research in different countries and regions, original research papers on topics related online media and global communication and translated articles from non-English speaking Global South. It strives to be a leading platform for scientific exchange in online media and global communication.

Topics

OMGC publishes high quality, innovative and original research on global communication especially in the use of global online media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Whatspps, Weibo, WeChat, Wikipedia, web sites, blogs, etc., in an effort to make theoretical contributions under the contextual scenarios of and based on practices of online media and global communication, particularly in but not limited to the Global South. This journal will address the contemporary concerns about the effects and operations of global digital media platforms on international relations, international public opinion, fake news and propaganda dissemination, consumer behavior as well as the balance of voices in the world. Comparative research across countries are particularly welcome. Empirical research is preferred over conceptual papers.

Upcoming Themed Issues [LINKI JAK W WErsji NIEMIECKIEJ]

Call for Papers | Theme Issue: Online Media and Image Studies Under Conflicts | Submission Deadline:
January 15, 2024

More information: https://omgc.shisu.edu.cn/CallForPaperswThemesIssuesw/list.htm

News about the journal can be found at https://omgc.shisu.edu.cn/12420/list.htm

Ideas for special issues may be submitted to the editors for consideration (OMGC@shisu.edu.cn) 　

Article Types

In addition to the standard format for research articles, the journal offers the following formats:

One translated article per issue from non-English language journals that are of high quality as "Featured Translated Research Outside the Anglosphere".

One review article per issue on the current state of research in online media and global communication in a country or region.

Your Benefits

No fee to authors for disseminating scholarship on a professional publishing platform under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (Open Access)
All authors retain copyright, unless due to their local circumstances their work is not copyrighted.
Dual track review system to allow authors with different identity needs to be reviewed by qualified reviewers
Seven-language abstracts maximize worldwide visibility and discoverability: http://omgc.shisu.edu.cn/12335/list.htm
Author and journal article promotion in both Chinese social media and western social media
Selected published articles may be translated to Chinese and published in print
Adhere to the highest ethical review standard following the guideline of the Committee on Publications Ethics
Manuscript reviewers will receive recognition for high quality and on-time reviews

History

Launched in January 2022, in collaboration with Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai, China.

Abstracting and Indexing

Online Media and Global Communication is covered by the following services:

Dimensions
EBSCO Discovery Service
Google Scholar
IAMCR Open Access Journals Directory
J-Gate
JournalTOCs
KESLI-NDSL (Korean National Discovery for Science Leaders)
Linguistics Abstracts Online
MyScienceWork
Naver Academic
Naviga (Softweco)
Primo Central (ExLibris)
ReadCube
Scilit
Semantic Scholar
Summon (ProQuest)
TDNet
WorldCat (OCLC)
X-MOL
Yewno Discover

Supplementary Materials

Topics

External Links

Online Submission of Manuscripts

Volume 2 Issue 3

September 2023

Publicly Available October 20, 2023

Frontmatter

Page range: i-iv

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Editorial Essay

Open Access September 18, 2023

Gen Z’s social media use and global communication

Peiqin Chen, Louisa Ha

Page range: 301-303

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Research Articles

Open Access October 10, 2023

Identity, migration, and social media: Generation Z in USMCA

Diana L. Alvarez-Macias, Alfredo Villafranca, Carmen Villafranca

Page range: 304-328

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Abstract

Purpose This research analyzes national identity representations held by Generation Z youth living in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) countries. In addition, it aims to identify the information on these issues that they are exposed to through social media. Methods A qualitative approach carried out through in-depth interviews was selected for the study. The objective is to reconstruct social meaning and the social representation system. The constant comparative method was used for the information analysis, backed by the NVivo program. Findings National identity perceptions of the adolescents interviewed are positive in terms of their own groups, very favorable regarding Canadians, and unfavorable vis-à-vis Americans. Furthermore, the interviewees agreed that social media have influenced their desire to travel or migrate, and if considering migrating, they have also provided advice as to which country they might go to. On another point, Mexicans are quite familiar with the Treaty; Americans are split between those who know something about it and those who have no information whatsoever; whereas Canadians know nothing about it. This reflects a possible way to improve information generated and spread by social media. Practical implications The results could improve our understanding of how young people interpret the information circulating in social media and what representations are constructed about national identities. We believe this research can be replicated in other countries. Social implications We might consider that the representations Generation Z has about the national identities of these three countries and what it means to migrate could have an impact on the democratic life of each nation and, in turn, on the relationship among the three USMCA partners. Originality/value As one of the few studies carried out on USMCA national identities and by qualitatively exploring the representations that Generation Zers have about them, it may provide information that could contribute to expanding understanding among the citizens of the region.

Open Access September 21, 2023

Online news platforms still matter: generational news consumption patterns during the 2020 presidential election

Rik Ray

Page range: 329-350

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Abstract

Purpose Gen Z or younger news audiences are believed to contribute to declining news consumption as a result of decreased news interest and reduced trust, particularly in political news. It can have adverse consequences for democratic processes. This study offers a more nuanced perspective by qualifying the role of context, and generational differences and similarities in online political news consumption patterns before and after the 2020 US presidential election, which witnessed a series of unprecedented events in the country’s history. Design/methodology/approach To investigate these patterns, I use US aggregated website visitation data from Comscore in a quasi-experimental interrupted time series design, leveraging the 2020 election as a natural experimental condition. Findings While Gen Z are indeed consuming considerably less news, contrary to assumptions, there was significantly increased engagement with news websites following the election. Additionally, media audiences across generations are likely to reduce social media use during such events. Implications Major political events can significantly influence media use patterns such as the extent of news consumption in general and political news in particular, something not often considered in media effects-oriented research. There is also an urgent need to review and reassess our definitions of news, news sources, and its audience. Originality/value By using observational data in a quasi-experimental design, this study offers a more precise and refined perspective of generational patterns of online political news consumption in the context of a major political event that both corroborates as well as challenges some our existing notions of media use.

Open Access September 13, 2023

Differences in perceived influencer authenticity: a comparison of Gen Z and Millennials’ definitions of influencer authenticity during the de-influencer movement

Mara F. Singer, Chaz L. Callendar, Xiao Ma, Samuel M. Tham

Page range: 351-378

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Abstract

Purpose Authenticity is a trait that is considered by both Gen Z and Millennials as an integral part of the social media influencer persuasive episode. This research uses thematic analysis to deconstruct how both Gen Z and Millennials develop their perceptions of social media influencer authenticity. Design/methodology This study conducted four focus groups with a total of 15 members of Gen Z and 13 members of Millennials. Participants were screened to ensure they followed lifestyle social media influencers and have made purchases based on influencer recommendations. The online focus groups discussed how participants from each generation evaluate the authenticity of Social Media Influencers (SMIs) using a six-factor cumulative model (Nunes, Joseph C., Andrea Ordanini & Gaia Giambastiani. 2021. The concept of authenticity: What it means to consumers. Journal of Marketing 85(4). 1–20). Findings The research findings show that Gen Z considers SMIs to be highly educated friends with whom they can seek advice and opinions, while Millennials see social media influencer as a profession that needs to be done in an ethical and transparent manner. Practical implications These findings are useful in understanding the psychology between both Gen Z and Millennials so appropriate producer messaging can be used to reach them. Originality/value As the concept of authenticity has been defined differently by multiple entities, this research seeks to fill the current research gap in the literature analyzing generational definitions of perceived authenticity, specifically between the two largest online consumer cohorts, Gen Z and Millennials.

Open Access September 13, 2023

Why does Gen Z watch virtual streaming VTube anime videos with avatars on Twitch?

Yijin Li

Page range: 379-403

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Abstract

Purpose Live streaming has become an increasingly popular media, which allows individuals to record and broadcast simultaneously on the internet. Streamers, individuals who conduct live streaming videos, create diverse media content on live streaming video platforms. Most streamers show up with their real-person appearances via live streaming. However, Virtual YouTubers, known as VTubers, use avatars to conduct live streaming. In recent years, Twitch has become one of the most well-known video live streaming services for VTubers. This study aims to explore attractiveness between the viewer and VTuber through parasocial interactions, and the influence that attractiveness might have on actual mediated interactions between viewers and the VTuber. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was conducted to study the attractiveness of VTubers’ live streaming and viewers’ engagement with VTubers. Findings Parasocial interactions can be a factor drawing viewers to watch VTubers’ live streaming. Physical attractiveness, social attractiveness, and task attractiveness play important roles in influencing viewers’ choices on specific VTuber’s live streaming and further social interactions with them. To be more specific, the interactions with VTubers, the content of live streaming, the personality of VTubers, and the visual design of the VTubers’ avatars are important factors that attract respondents to watch live streaming. Additionally, the findings show the pattern of viewers’ interactions with VTubers. Active viewers typically leave comments to be acknowledged by VTubers and further reactions. Passive viewers are influenced by time, language barrier, character, and emotional health. Practical implications VTubers and the platform are given suggestions on how to design and improve live streams and help VTubers to promote to attract viewers. Social implications It introduces VTubing as a subculture and shows how viewers consume VTubers’ live streaming. Originality/value This is the first study to explore the roles of attractiveness on viewers selecting and engaging with VTubers’ live streaming. It illustrates the importance of companionship, avatars, and the personality of VTubers in influencing viewers’ willingness to watch live streaming.

Open Access August 8, 2023

Para-kin relationship between fans and idols: a qualitative analysis of fans’ motivations for purchasing idol-dolls

Zhenyu Zhang

Page range: 404-421

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Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this research is to examine how “mother fans” impact on the existing patterns of parasocial relationships between fans and idols and to gain deeper insights into the motivations underlying the purchase of idol dolls. Additionally, by including the experiences and perspectives of male idol fans, the research seeks to broaden the understanding of fan behavior and enhance comprehension of the motivations driving idol-doll consumption. Design/methodology/approach Taking idol-doll buyers as research objects, this research conducted textual analysis and in-depth interviews to explore fans’ motivations for purchasing idol dolls. Findings Idol doll purchases are driven by emotional attachment, particularly among mother fans who seek to establish a sense of control and maintain a mother–child relationship. Additionally, buying idol dolls can also serve as a disguise for girlfriend fans to cover up their romantic fantasies about their idols. Moreover, idol dolls serve as semiotic identifiers, attracting like-minded fans and gaining community recognition. It should be noted that male idol fans, who are considered deviant from the masculine normative, face scrutiny in female-dominated communities, needing further proof of authenticity. Practical implications This research promotes understanding the motivations behind idol-doll purchases and can assist marketers in catering to the emotional needs of fans, particularly mother fans, by designing and marketing dolls that resonate with their desired sense of attachment. Social implications By recognizing and emphasizing the positive aspects of fan activities, this study contributes to the ongoing process of de-demonization and normalization of fandom. Additionally, this research also seeks to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the struggles and emotional needs of the Chinese young generation. Originality/value This study explores the under-researched mother-fan group’s emotional needs and their motivations of purchasing idol-dolls. It also acknowledges the distinct perspectives and experiences of male idol fans, providing a fresh and unique viewpoint on idol-doll consumption.

Open Access September 13, 2023

From the Traditionalists to GenZ: conceptualizing intergenerational communication and media preferences in the USA

May Hongmei Gao

Page range: 422-445

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Abstract

Purpose This paper categorizes the seven generations of people living in the USA with a 15-year per generation matrix. This paper presents the communication styles of five generations active as employees and consumers in the USA today: the Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials (GenY), and GenZ. This paper provides strategies for more efficient intergenerational communication. Design/methodology/approach This paper is the result of a multi-method qualitative research that crystallizes data from in-depth interviews with ten entrepreneurs in global business and participant observation as a college professor for GenY and GenZ students. Findings Organizations need to consider adopting generation specific social media apps for two-way communication. This paper unveils the communication preferences of five generations currently active in the workforce and marketplace in the USA: The Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials (GenY), and GenZ. Practical implications For the sustainability of any organization, it is critical to study the communication preferences of the five generations active in the workforce and marketplace in the USA today. In order to achieve intergenerational communication efficiency, companies/organizations need to (1) Conceptualize intergenerational communication as a form of intercultural communication; (2) Craft clear “vision statements;” (3) Communicate with simple language to all generations; (4) Engage in two-way communication via mass media and social media. Theoretical and social implications The ongoing digital transformation has a dramatic impact on organizational communication in the USA. Applying the “Speech Code Theory” and “News Find Me” perspective, this research proposes viewing intergenerational communication as intercultural communication. Companies and organizations face challenges with managing, incorporating, and engaging with five generations of employees and customers who grew up in different economic eras, impacted by different technologies and media. Originality/value This is the first academic study that synthesizes communication preferences of five generations active in the workforce and marketplace in the USA. This multi-method approach incorporates first hand data from in-depth interviews with ten global business leaders from the generations of Traditionalist, Baby Boomers, and Generation X, as well as participant observation as a professor in the USA for students in GenY (Millennials) and GenZ generations.

Featured Translated Research Outside the Anglosphere

Open Access October 11, 2023

Co-writing journalism on TikTok: media legitimacy and edutainment communities

Lisa Bolz

Page range: 446-467

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Abstract

By combining traditional practices and the codes of TikTok, news media on TikTok provide journalistic news targeting in particular the so-called “Generation Z.” Short and often playful videos represent a new journalistic discourse that links journalistic information to TikTok culture. With the emergence of journalism on TikTok, news media have to negotiate and justify their authority on this digital social network and have to explain how journalism works. Journalists on TikTok are thus also providing media education, by showing manifestations of journalism or by justifying that the newspapers deserve to be TikTok-certified. Media adapt the content and the nature of their videos to TikTok, for example, by participating in viral trends, by publishing videos that affect the lives of young Internet users, or by telling information with a humorous angle. Through the different ways of interacting, media manage to include Internet users in the news production and to show the media community.

Ahead of Print / Just Accepted

Ahead of Print / Just Accepted

Volume 2 (2023)

Volume 1 (2022)

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Preparing your manuscript

Before submitting your manuscript to Online Media and Global Communication, please ensure you have read the Objective to make sure that the topic of your contribution is relevant to this journal and follow the guideline below:

Author Submission Guideline:

1. Publication Ethics
The journal will follow the Committee on Publication Ethics guideline for both reviewers and the authors, see https://publicationethics.org/.

2. Original Submissions
All unsolicited authors’ submissions must be original and have not been published in English or other languages, either in print or online publications. Manuscripts which have been posted online such as university web sites, in preprint servers or file-sharing sites must self-identify such posting in the cover letter and undergo single-masked review.

3. Submission procedure
Authors are welcome to submit abstracts to the editor to determine the appropriateness of the manuscript before submitting the full-length manuscript to our journal e-mail: omgc@shisu.edu.cn. Submit the full manuscript to our ScholarOne platform at: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/omgc.

4. Cover Letter
All new submissions must include a cover letter explaining whether the manuscript is the first time the dataset was being used. If not, then the author should report previous articles or submissions to other journals using the same dataset and explaining the advancement of knowledge of the submitted manuscript over previous articles and other manuscripts under review in other journals.

5. Abstracts and keywords
Manuscripts must include a structured abstract no longer than 300 words in total (purpose, method, findings, implications, value) and proper keywords to help identify appropriate reviewers, see example. Citations in the abstract should be avoided; if essential, they must be listed in full in parentheses. Up to eight keywords can be accepted. The keywords must include country/region of study, research method, and the name of the online media platform being studied such as YouTube or category such as social media.

6. Dual Track Review
This journal adopts a dual track review system as the first in the field of communication. Two review tracks are offered to the authors and authors must choose either one before final submission: 1) double blind (masked) review track that both authors and reviewers do not know the identity of the author; 2) single blind (masked) review track that reviewers will know the identity of the author and the authors are free to cite their own works and refer to themselves in the manuscript. Submitters who have posted their manuscript or its earlier version elsewhere online or with more than five self-citations will undergo the review process using the single-blind review track. All original submissions are in English with reviews by two or more reviewers.

6. Citing your own works
When authors choose double-masked review track, excessive self-citations (more than 5) are discouraged and will be viewed as an attempt to identify the author. Such manuscript will undergo single-masked review automatically. Authors going through a double-masked review track who need to cite their own previous works should cite them in the same way as other authors. There is no need to specify the work is written by the author. The only exceptions are in press or forthcoming articles. In those cases, the in-text reference should be (Authors, in press/forthcoming). In single-masked review track, authors are free to cite and refer to their own works in the text of the manuscript and there is no limit on self-citations as long as they are appropriate.

7. Citation style
The journal follows the De Gruyter Mouton Journal Style Sheet and publishes in American English. This means that in the reference section, authors are required to provide the full name of each cited author such as Chen, Daiwen and Kaoqiu Lu (2020), instead of initials, to help identify authors in non-English speaking countries who have little differentiation by last name. For translated references, only retain the title in the original language, followed by the English title in square brackets, e.g.: Si, Ruo & Jingchao Zhao. 2019. 融媒时代纪实性视听作品创新模式研究 [Research on the innovative mode of documentary audio-visual works in the era of media convergence]. Modern Communication (Journal of Communication University of China) 41(3). 116–121.

The Shanghai International Studies University web page link in English is http://en.shisu.edu.cn/. We also have a journal specific web page, http://omgc.shisu.edu.cn/12332/list.htm, which covers events organized by the journal and other news.

Your benefits of publishing with us

High quality peer-reviewing
Open access publication under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
History of submission and acceptance listed in the published article
Every article easily discoverable because of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and comprehensive abstracting and indexing services
Multi-lingual abstracts for maximum worldwide visibility
Secure archiving by De Gruyter and the independent archiving service Portico
Professional sales and marketing activities

Please note

Before submitting your article, please have a look at our Publication Ethics Statement and our License to Publish, which must be agreed with before publication
Do not submit work that has been submitted elsewhere or has been published previously
All initial submissions are checked for plagiarism via Crossref Similarity Check
Manuscripts must be written in clear and concise English
A Research Article should normally be no more than 8,000 words in text in English

If you have any general questions please visit our FAQ page for authors

We look forward to receiving your manuscript!

Editorial

Editor-in-Chief
Louisa Ha (Bowling Green State University, USA)

Co Editors-in-Chief
Ke Guo (Shanghai International Studies University, China)
Peiqin Chen (Shanghai International Studies University, China)

Associate Editors
Yining Yan (Shanghai International Studies University, China)
Ji Pan (Fudan University, China)

Managing Editor
Xiaomeng Li (Shanghai International Studies University, China)
E-mail: omgc@shisu.edu.cn

Translation Coordinator and Editor
Gefei Suo (Shanghai International Studies University, China)

Copy Editor
Dane Claussen (National Communication Association, U.S.A.)

Editorial Board
Mohammad H. Abuljadail, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
Svetlana S. Bodrunova, St. Petersburg State University, Russia
Jason Cabañes, De La Salle University- Manila, The Philippines
Teresa Correa, Diego Portales University-Santiago, Chile
Afonso De Albuquerque, Fluminense Federal University, Brazil
Jeroen de Kloet, University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Marton Demeter, National University of Public Service, Hungary
Mohan Dutta, Massey University, New Zealand
Shahira Fahmy, American University at Cairo, Egypt
Terry Flew, University of Sydney, Australia
Michal Glowacki University of Warsaw, Poland
Homero Gil de Zuniga, University of Salamanca, Spain & Pennsylvania State University, U.S.A.
Dan Hallin, University of California-San Diego, U.S.A.
Mei-Ling Hsu, National Chengchi University, Taiwan
Kioko Ireri, United States International University-Kenya
Jaemin Jung, Korea Advanced Institute of Technology, South Korea
Veronika Karnowski, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany
Nete Kristensen, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Rich Ling, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Jörg Matthes, University of Vienna, Austria
Hang Min, Tsinghua University, China
Bahiyah Omar, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
Didem Özkul, University College London, United Kingdom & Bilkent University, Turkey
Victor Manuel Garcia Perdomo, Universidad de La Sabana, Colombia
Ivanka Pjesivac, University of Georgia, U.S.A.
Bushra Hameedur Rahman, University of Punjab-Lahore, Pakistan
Jiro Takai, Nagoya University, Japan
Hong Vu, University of Kansas, U.S.A.
Herman Wasserman, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Oscar Westlund, Oslo Metropolitan University, Norway & University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Lars Willnat, Syracuse University, U.S.A.
Xiaoling Zhang, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China

(Deutsch)

Type: Journal
Language: English
Publisher: De Gruyter Mouton
First published: January 1, 2022
Publication Frequency: 4 Issues per Year
Audience: Scholars in Communication, Media Studies, Internet Studies, International Studies, International Relations