Channels Adopted for Information Seeking during COVID-19: Comparing Social Media with News Media and Interpersonal Communication in Taiwan

Shu-Chu Sarrina Li, Tai-Yee Wu, Huai-Kuai Zeng and Shih-Yu Lo
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Shu-Chu Sarrina Li: Institute of Communication Studies, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
Tai-Yee Wu: Institute of Communication Studies, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
Huai-Kuai Zeng: Institute of Communication Studies, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
Shih-Yu Lo: Institute of Communication Studies, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 15, 1-16

Abstract: By adopting niche theory, this study compared social media with news media and interpersonal communication regarding their capabilities in satisfying people’s information needs of daily use, surveillance, convenience, and information quality during the outbreak of COVID-19. Two methods were adopted to collect data for this study: the first was to conduct 20 intensive interviews, and the second was to administer an online survey by contracting a professional polling company with a panel of 8.8 million members. The stratified random sampling method was used to acquire a representative sample, from which 1100 valid questionnaires were obtained. The results showed that: (1) Social media were superior to traditional news media in terms of its convenience. However, several new types of online news, such as Yahoo news, were able to compete with social media for convenience. (2) Interpersonal communication did not outperform in satisfying individuals’ needs for the four gratifications. Nevertheless, interpersonal communication plays the role of social support for individuals.

Keywords: niche theory; COVID-19; information seeking; social media; news media; interpersonal communication; gratifications obtained; gratification opportunities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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