Frequencies, Drivers, and Solutions to News Non-Attendance: Investigating Differences Between Low News Usage and News (Topic) Avoidance with Conversational Agents

Low levels of news seeking can be problematic for an informed citizenry. Previous research has discussed different types non-attendance but conceptual ambiguities between low usage, general avoidance, and topic avoidance still exist. By using a longitudinal design conducted with chatbot survey among Dutch users (n = 189), this study provides first empirical evidence that helps clarify differences. First, it estimates the prevalence these non-attendance. Second, tests to what extend cognitive restrictions, quality assessments, personal relevance are relevant predictors in explaining engagement three news. Third, investigates how usage behaviors (e.g., curation, snacking, verification engagement) may serve as potential user-driven counter strategies against avoidance. We find Only small shares explained by motivations. Especially curation mitigate common drivers while snacking reinforces them.