Covid-19

A new study has found that Black communities were able to effectively communicate about the COVID-19 pandemic through humor, while thoughtfully critiquing the very systems they’ve been disenfranchised by. The findings by Rachel Grant, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) Journalism assistant professor, and UFCJC doctoral graduates…

Sponsor: Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting Funding Opportunity Title: COVID-19, Vaccines, and Global Health Inequities Key words: COVID-19, Global Health System, Mass media, journalism, documentary film Link to RFP:  https://pulitzercenter.org/grants-fellowships/opportunities-journalists/covid-19-vaccines-and-global-health-inequities Deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Funding available: We do not have a budget range. We will consider projects of…

A new study has found that conservative media use is associated with greater perceived distance to COVID-19, while less partisan news use is associated with a smaller perceived distance. The findings by Jay Hmielowski, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) Public Relations associate professor, UFCJC doctoral student…

Haoran Chris Chu, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Public Relations assistant professor, and colleagues have recently published research on deepfake resurrection narratives, vaccine communication and risk efficacy. Chu and University of Michigan Assistant Professor Hang Lu were the authors of “Let the Dead Talk: How Deepfake Resurrection…

A new study has found that reactions to online COVID-19 death stories can be explained by narrative moral judgment theories. The findings by incoming University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Public Relations assistant professor Rebecca Frazer and colleagues at The Ohio State University are featured in “Demystifying Schadenfreude:…

Jay Hmielowski, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) Public Relations associate professor, was quoted in “America’s Culture Wars Extend Into Medicine” published in The Economist on Jan. 8. The article focuses on the decline in confidence in the medical establishment since 2021. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has…

A new study has found that considering family conversation patterns in the fight against vaccine hesitancy is critical. The findings by University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) doctoral students Chelsea Moss and Shelby Thomas, and UFCJC Journalism associate professor Frank Waddell,  were featured in “Hesitancy in the…

A new study has found that COVID-19-related corporate social responsibility ads increased the individual consumer’s sense of well-being. The ads had a positive effect on brand outcomes but a detrimental effect on message compliance. The study showed the effect was stronger in Germany than in the U.S. The research by…

Mask-wearing has remained controversial throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, even though health authorities in April 2020 recommended that everyone should wear masks to prevent the spread of the virus. As members of the United States Congress have increasingly used social media to publicize their policy positions, share reactions to topics, and…

The global pandemic changed how almost every industry communicates, but none more so than in the healthcare sector. Secure messaging (SM) became a critical mode of communication for healthcare providers and their patients during the early stages of the pandemic. University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Advertising Assistant…

Jieun Shin, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Media Production, Management, and Technology assistant professor, is featured in “Ways to Make Social Media Less ‘Viral’” published in the Financial Times on Nov. 23. Fake news can spread like COVID-19 and social media platforms have options to stop it.…

Marcia DiStaso, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications Public Relations Department chair, is quoted in “COVID on Campus: A Look into the Pandemic’s Effect on Future PR Pros” published in PRWeek on Aug. 26. The article focuses on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected institutions of higher education…