The growing proliferation of deepfake content and AI-generated media has created an immediate need for reliable systems that can verify video authenticity to prevent misinformation. iFAKE: AI-Driven Video Forgery Detection System is an advanced platform designed to overcome some of the key challenges: rapid deepfake generation, manual verification difficulties, and lack of real-time detection tools. The system integrates multiple deep learning models-EfficientNet, MesoNet, YOLO, and Vision Transformers-that analyze both spatial and temporal patterns in videos for manipulation prediction, along with confidence-based detection results. It provides intuitive, role-based access via user and admin portals, thus enabling seamless usage, monitoring, and result management. As such, it allows users to upload videos for instant AI analysis while enabling administrators to track logs, model performance, and system activity. This improves the efficiency of verification and further consolidates trust in digital communications with manipulation-region visualization, real-time processing, and secure handling of media files. It supports global needs by facilitating safer online media consumption and assists institutions in combating misinformation at scale.

This study explores the relationship between the media literacy level of students and their level of misinformation vulnerability. With the increasing prevalence of misleading information on social media, understanding how youth interact with digital content has become crucial. The research utilized a quantitative-descriptive-survey design, targeting 378 senior high school and college students enrolled in Mandaluyong City in the academic year 2024–2025. Using a convenience sampling technique, a self-report questionnaire was distributed purely face-to-face to gather data on students' demographics, media literacy levels, and susceptibility to misinformation. The research found a very weak positive correlation between the students’ digital media consumption and misinformation vulnerability (rₛ= 0.032). Findings also show a moderate inverse relationship between media literacy in both The Self and Medium dimensions and risks leading to misinformation vulnerability (rₛ= -0.452 and -0.506, respectively). Overall, media literacy had a moderate negative relationship with both misinformation vulnerability (rₛ= -0.443) and risks leading to vulnerability (rₛ= -0.482), confirming that higher literacy levels correlate with reduced misinformation susceptibility. Findings suggest that practical, student-centered strategies promoting critical engagement with digital content help reduce vulnerability to misinformation. The Research-Based Guidelines For Critical And Responsible Social Media Engagement was developed to promote responsible digital citizenship among students.

Digital streaming has rapidly transformed entertainment into an economy of access, redefining how users interact with media and markets alike. In India, Over-the-Top (OTT) platforms have emerged as both cultural intermediaries and financial ecosystems that shape consumption patterns across socio-economic divides. Yet, the motivations, constraints, and strategic engagement of tribal students within these digital markets remain underexplored. Addressing this gap, this study examines how financial accessibility, perceived cultural relevance, and platform strategies jointly drive OTT adoption among tribal learners. Using a mixed-method approach, combining survey data from 420 tribal students across five Indian states with qualitative interviews, the research reveals that affordability, localized content, and flexible subscription models are critical enablers of adoption. Findings indicate that while entertainment remains a primary motivator, OTT use also fosters aspirational identity-building and digital literacy. The study highlights the intersection of financial behavior and cultural participation, showing how strategic platform design can expand inclusion in digital economies. These insights extend theoretical understandings of media consumption at the margins, positioning OTT services not merely as entertainment channels but as agents of socio-economic transformation. The study underscores the need for context-sensitive strategies that integrate affordability, representation, and digital capability to sustain inclusive growth in India’s streaming market.

The advancement of digital technology has transformed children's media consumption patterns, marked by the growing use of short video content such as TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels. This study aims to explore the psychological impacts of short video addiction on elementary school-aged children, focusing on cognitive, affective, and social aspects. Using a phenomenological qualitative approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation involving 10 children, 7 parents, and 4 teachers from two elementary schools. The findings indicate that children who intensively access short videos (more than two hours per day) experience reduced concentration, emotional instability, and social withdrawal. These results were analyzed using theoretical frameworks from Piaget (cognitive), Krathwohl (affective), Erikson and Bandura (social), and Young’s digital addiction model. The main conclusion reveals that short video addiction negatively affects children's developmental tasks, including logical thinking abilities, emotional regulation, and social skills. Therefore, digital literacy-based interventions and active supervision by parents and teachers are essential to prevent the long-term detrimental impacts on children's psychological development.

Abstract The last decades have seen a resurgence of ethicists in public discourse. In the news media, they are called upon to comment on current affairs and public policy. I argue that the epistemic status of their testimony and the scope of their expertise are not always clear to media consumers. Ethicists have a very distinct and limited kind of expertise and the main goal of expert ethics communication should be the fostering of moral understanding and ethics literacy. This goal, however, is in conflict with some of the goals of journalism that are grounded in the rationale of the media market. While good ethics communication thrives on caution, nuance and pointing out consensus, the media market has a tendency to prefer definitive answers and controversy. In this paper, I am spelling out specific conflicts that arise in various steps of the journalistic process and make proposals for how to solve those conflicts. Some, I argue, can be fixed easily, some less so. Help might come from science media centres as a place where ethical and journalistic expertise can occur together.

The Impact of 5G on Media Production and Consumption in India

This research explores how podcasting has become a modern revival of India’s centuries-old oral storytelling tradition. With the digital transformation of media consumption, podcasts have emerged as a bridge between heritage and technology — reshaping how Indians listen, narrate, and share stories. Through an examination of the history of oral traditions, the evolution of digital audio, and current trends in the Indian podcast ecosystem, this study aims to understand podcasting’s cultural, linguistic, and creative implications. It also identifies research gaps and proposes a methodological framework for deeper academic investigation

ABSTRACT This study focuses on understanding connections between news consumption on TikTok and the credibility of news content. Results from an online experiment (n = 325) revealed that participants who used TikTok intentionally to seek news and political information were more likely to engage with political content and view it as more credible than other TikTok users. Additionally, this study did not find a connection between use frequency and credibility of the news content or news outlets, which contradicts previous research on media consumption and effects. Implications of these findings are discussed.

ABSTRACT This study examines political news consumption patterns among Icelandic voters during the 2021 parliamentary election campaign, tracking developments on a daily basis leading up to election day. While news consumption during campaigns has been widely studied, little attention has been paid to examining changes in people's media diets over time, as we do here. Using an innovative rolling cross‐sectional survey design, we capture daily variations in engagement across traditional, online, and social media platforms during the month before the election. This method reveals trends over time, offering insights into fluctuations in engagement across demographic groups and levels of political interest. Findings show a slight but steady rise in political news use as election day nears, with political interest as a key predictor. Notably, individuals who rely on social media are found to be highly interested in politics, diverging from patterns in other countries and highlighting Iceland's unique digital media environment.

As digital media consumption continued to expand rapidly, non-skippable YouTube advertisements emerged as a significant medium for brands to reach the digitally native and influential Generation Z consumers. This study examined the influence of four dimensions, informational value, entertainment value, credibility, and irritation value, on the purchasing intentions of Generation Z consumers in Sri Lanka. Employing a quantitative research design, data were obtained through a structured questionnaire administered to 384 randomly selected YouTube users from a population of over 7.8 million active users in Sri Lanka. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS to evaluate the relationships among the four dimensions of advertising effectiveness and purchase intention. The overall findings supported the assertion that non-skippable advertisements could affect purchasing intentions. The entertainment dimension demonstrated the strongest positive influence on purchase intention, indicating that engaging and humorous advertisements effectively stimulated consumers’ buying decisions. The informational dimension also exerted a positive influence, suggesting that advertisements offering clear and relevant information aided consumers in the decision-making process. Interestingly, the irritation dimension also exhibited a positive relationship with purchase intention. Although irritation is generally perceived negatively, it may, when applied strategically, enhance memory retention and brand recall. Conversely, the credibility dimension showed a negative correlation with purchase intention in this context. The findings of this study provided valuable insights for marketers and brand strategists in developing non-skippable YouTube advertisements that integrate entertaining and informative elements capable of capturing consumer attention without generating excessive irritation. Such advertising strategies could contribute to the creation of stronger brand associations among Generation Z consumers in Sri Lanka.

The subject of the study is the use of the Yakut language in the online space of regional mass media in the northeastern districts of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The object of the research is the collection of news publications from eight regional online media outlets presented on the Ulus.media portal. The study examines in detail such features as the ratio of Russian-language and Yakut-language news, the distribution of languages across topics, the peculiarities of headline writing, as well as the impact of Russisms on the formation of the modern local media space. Special attention is paid to identifying the lexical and semantic fields of Yakut-language publications, determining the degree of their functional load, and analyzing the factors affecting the fragmentary use of the language in the regional media environment. The research is aimed at understanding the dynamics of the use of the Yakut language in the context of remoteness, digital inequality, and weak infrastructure in the Arctic regions. The study employs quantitative content analysis and qualitative lexical-semantic analysis of headlines and news publication texts, as well as comparative-descriptive methods that allow for revealing the degree of representation of the Yakut language and the nature of its functioning in the regional media environment. The main findings of the conducted research are the establishment of the dominant position of the Russian language (over 80% of all news publications) and the identification of predominantly fragmentary and thematically limited use of the Yakut language in the regional online media of the northeastern Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The novelty of the research lies in the comprehensive analysis of 1,798 news materials over a three-month period, covering the media space of the republic's peripheral districts characterized by low infrastructure development, remoteness from trade and transportation centers, as well as specific media consumption features. The analysis of the text content suggests that the Yakut language in the local media environment functions as an adaptive and dynamically developing system capable of serving a significant part of the regional informational media space while maintaining its ethnocultural specificity.

This paper explores the role of media discourse in shaping public perception regarding Albania’s European Union (EU) integration through a comprehensive quantitative analysis. Based on a structured survey of 347 participants across six Albanian need for comprehensive media training, enhanced ethical standards, and improved transparency in reporting. This research underscores the necessity for a responsible media ecosystem that effectively informs and meaningfully engages the public in EU integration discourse, with comparative insights drawn from similar processes in Western Balkan countries. universities, the study investigates media consumption habits, platform preferences, and public perceptions of media credibility and influence in covering EU-related topics. The research employs a mixed-methods approach within a quantitative framework, utilizing descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and comparative methodology to examine attitudes across demographic and professional variables. Key findings indicate that traditional media, particularly television, remains the primary source for EU-related news (cited by 65% of respondents), though social and online media platforms are gaining significant traction, especially among younger audiences (18-25 age group). While 43% of participants acknowledge the media’s constructive role in raising awareness and supporting EU integration, substantial concerns persist about misinformation—primarily attributed to social and online media platforms (68% of respondents). The study identifies critical challenges including political and economic pressures on media content, highlighting the urgent

This study examines how the management of political disagreement during elections affects the development of political information repertoires, particularly in relation to political orientation. Amid rising political polarization, particularly on social media, prevailing assumptions suggest that individuals engage with diverse perspectives. However, this research interrogates whether deliberative and partisanship groups curate political information differently or reinforce ideological divides. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a rigorously selected sample of Indonesian voters, who demonstrated an active interest in political debates—both deliberative and partisanship. Partial Least Square was applied across two models: (1) the role of political information sources in shaping deliberative and partisanship engagement, and (2) the effects of disagreement management strategies on political discourse. The findings reveal that both deliberative and partisanship individuals actively filter, select, and curate political networks and media consumption based on ideological preferences rather than openness to diverse viewpoints. This challenges prevailing assumptions in deliberative democracy theories, suggesting that deliberative individuals may engage in political discussions selectively rather than embracing ideological diversity. The study highlights the reinforcing mechanisms of selective exposure and polarization, underscoring the role of political information repertoires in shaping electoral discourse in deeply divided societies.

This article explores how social media is contributing to the medicalization of masculinity – specifically the pathologizing of boys and young men who do not reflect dominant masculine ideals. We illustrate how medicalization of masculinity intersects with hegemonic masculinity – the socially dominant and most valued form of masculinity. Boys and men who do not live up to these ideals may be diagnosed with conditions rather than recognizing systemic pressures. First, we consider ideals presented on social media platforms often perpetuate stereotypes around masculinity with images of the muscular man, exuding power and strength, who appears stoic and attractive to women. For those who do not measure up to the normative images, online communities, pseudo medical experts and clickbait offer avenues to remedy perceived problems. We explore the consequence of social media consumption and offer an epistemic approach to advance critical social media literacies. Our contribution is a new theoretical lens to advance discussions around literacies urgently needed in the digital age to accounts for the interplay between social media production, users, their choices, values and beliefs. We offer this theoretical approach to advance proficiencies so that boys and young men can more critically evaluate misinformation, disinformation and harmful norms on social media that perpetuate dominant versions of masculinity and the medicalization of those who do not measure up.

The rapid growth of podcasting platforms has transformed digital media consumption, offering diverse content tailored to user preferences. The present research aims to identify the needs associated with engaging with sports podcasts on the Himalaya platform while exploring cognitive, emotional, and social satisfactions. Quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques used the Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT) in the present research, including semantic network analysis, co-word clustering, and high-frequency words, to analyze the data collected from 13,692 comments of five popular sports podcast channels. The study shows that information seeking is the primary reason listeners tune in: they want game breakdowns and insiders' opinions. This is further reinforced by self-efficacy and media convenience, which are important factors in the platform mandate of enabling users and assimilating content into their daily lives. First, the paper adds to scholarship by employing the UGT in the context of sports podcasts in China. Secondly, it provides valuable recommendations for practical use by content creators and platform developers. Overall, the results show the versatility of podcast consumption, although restrictions concerning demographic categorization and comparison with other media forms signal to undertake future studies. Such insights are relevant to improving and encouraging user interactions and how the platform delivers podcasts.

The rapid growth of podcasting platforms has transformed digital media consumption, offering diverse content tailored to user preferences. The present research aims to identify the needs associated with engaging with sports podcasts on the Himalaya platform while exploring cognitive, emotional, and social satisfactions. Quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques used the Uses and Gratifications Theory (UGT) in the present research, including semantic network analysis, co-word clustering, and high-frequency words, to analyze the data collected from 13,692 comments of five popular sports podcast channels. The study shows that information seeking is the primary reason listeners tune in: they want game breakdowns and insiders’ opinions. This is further reinforced by self-efficacy and media convenience, which are important factors in the platform mandate of enabling users and assimilating content into their daily lives. First, the paper adds to scholarship by employing the UGT in the context of sports podcasts in China. Secondly, it provides valuable recommendations for practical use by content creators and platform developers. Overall, the results show the versatility of podcast consumption, although restrictions concerning demographic categorization and comparison with other media forms signal to undertake future studies. Such insights are relevant to improving and encouraging user interactions and how the platform delivers podcasts.

The rise of social media has popularized short-form videos (SFVs) like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts among university students. Excessive exposure to SFV content may affect behavioral patterns, particularly attention span, which plays a vital role in academic performance. This study aimed to examine the patterns of SFV usage, assess students’ attention spans, and determine the relationship between SFV use and attention span among 2022 medical students at Universitas Prima Indonesia. Using a quantitative analytical design with a cross-sectional approach, data were collected through questionnaires from 200 respondents and analyzed using univariate and bivariate methods with the Chi-Square test. Statistical analysis was performed at a significance level of ? = 0.05, with the Chi-Square test yielding p < 0.05 as the criterion for significant associations. Results revealed that 85.5% of students had high SFV usage, primarily through TikTok (56.5%), with daily viewing exceeding 3 hours (65%) and weekly viewing exceeding 14 hours (53%). Lifestyle (62.5%) and entertainment (59%) were the most-watched content types. Attention span levels were classified as good (48%) and poor (52%), and statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between SFV usage and attention span (p = 0.000). The study recommends promoting digital literacy, time management, and responsible media consumption among students, alongside further research on SFV impacts on cognition and mental health.

The rise of digital technology has significantly altered consumer purchase behaviour and corporate processes. This study examines consumer repurchase intentions in the cosmetics business by integrating artificial intelligence, social media consumer engagement, conversion rate optimisation, and a positive customer experience. Information was gathered from 400 Avoskin customers in Bandung. Non-probability sampling is used in the procedure, and data testing and hypothesis generation are done using SmartPLS software. The research findings indicate that artificial intelligence has a noteworthy and favourable impact on consumer engagement on social media. Additionally, artificial intelligence has a significant and positive effect on conversion rate optimisation, which in turn has a notable and favourable effect on customer satisfaction. Lastly, a satisfying consumer experience has a positive and significant impact on repurchase intentions. Customer habit has a positive and significant role in influencing repurchase intentions.

ABSTRACT This study explores the relationships between political orientation and news consumption, examining the mediating role of trust in media and the moderating role of interest in politics. Based on a survey of 9,558 audience members from Chile, our work reveals three key findings. First, political orientation is directly connected to individuals choosing to consume news from media outlets that align with their ideological beliefs, demonstrating a clear pattern of selective exposure. Second, trust in these media brands acts as a crucial mediator of this relationship, with individuals more likely to engage with news from sources they trust, often aligning with their political views. Third, political interest moderates all these links, with higher political interest intensifying selective exposure to like-minded media. These results enhance our understanding of confirmation bias in media consumption and underscore the intertwined roles of ideological preferences and perceived credibility. The findings have significant implications for media practices and policies to reduce political polarization and promote more diversified news consumption. Future research should consider experimental or longitudinal designs to further investigate these dynamics and explore interventions encouraging exposure to a broader range of viewpoints.

ABSTRACT This study was conducted as descriptive research to determine individuals’ levels of binge-watching addiction and associated factors. The sample consisted of 403 individuals residing in Turkey who engage in binge-watching practices through online platforms. Data were collected using an online survey prepared by the researchers based on the literature, comprising a “Demographic Characteristics Form” and the “Binge Watching Addiction Questionnaire.” Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, Student’s t-test for comparing means between two groups, and One-Way ANOVA for comparing means among more than two groups. The study found significant differences between participants’ binge-watching addiction levels and certain socio-demographic characteristics such as gender, marital status, education level, and profession (p < .05). Additionally, significant differences were observed between binge-watching addiction levels and specific viewing practices, such as the platform used for streaming and the number of episodes watched in one sitting (p < .05). This research underscores the critical importance of understanding the addiction levels and associated factors of individuals who engage in binge-watching for the digital media industry. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the digital media sector consider the characteristics of its consumers to enhance consumer satisfaction and make media consumption more sustainable and beneficial.