Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, this study sought to understand economically disadvantaged individuals’ media dependency, motivations and reasons for reading the news, and challenges they experienced. Through a survey of a newspaper subscription support program participants in South Korea, the study found differences in patterns of media dependency and motivations for reading the news by age groups. Interviewees in their 50s responded that they read newspapers to understand and make sense of the world. Those in their 40s utilized broadcast news to communicate with and educate their children, and ones in their 20s and 30s searched for news on social media for self-actualization. As the older generation still perceived the digital environment as uncomfortable and confusing, digital literacy education is necessary for senior citizens. Young people responded that newspapers facilitated balanced news consumption. Findings of this study suggest that media access support should be differentiated by age groups.
Published Version
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