A comparison of American and Chinese college students media use: The amount and origins of international news and entertainment

Abstract

This study used a survey to explore American and Chinese college students’ self-reported consumptions of international media. Specifically, a comparison was made between American and Chinese participants in terms of the time spent per week on news and entertainment, respectively, the estimates of international versus domestic media, and the countries of origin of the international media. The results suggested that American college students spent more time per week on entertainment but less time on news compared to their Chinese counterparts. Chinese college students reported a higher percentage of international news and entertainment than their American counterparts among the total media consumption. American participants reported more diverse countries of origin of international news and entertainment compared to their Chinese counterparts. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed in the context of college students’ international media consumption and potential intercultural influences.