I enjoy 360° video news more, but understand them less! Gratification gained in virtual reality journalism research

Authors

  • Juan Camilo Hernández-Rodríguez Universidad de La Sabana, Colombia
  • Víctor García-Perdomo Universidad de La Sabana, Colombia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7764/cdi.56.60193

Keywords:

uses and gratifications; virtual reality journalism; 360° video; enjoyment; knowledge; understanding; credibility

Abstract

Thanks to technologies such as virtual reality (VR), the metaverse promises to have a place for journalism. Its development, however, is unclear. This experimental research aims to shed light on what real gratifications (obtained gratifications, OG) users might gain from exposure to 360º video news stories, experienced with Oculus Quest goggles, compared to those exposed to a multimedia reportage on a computer screen. The study analyzes OGs for knowledge, comprehension, credibility, emotional engagement, empathy, and enjoyment. The gratification reported by the participants exposed to VR (university students) was that of enjoyment and, consistently, this virtual content generated greater satisfaction than traditional multimedia. Nonetheless, the research shows that multimedia news stories with a strong textual component still yield better results in knowledge and understanding of the news event when compared to immersive technologies.

Author Biographies

Juan Camilo Hernández-Rodríguez, Universidad de La Sabana, Colombia

Juan Camilo Hernández-Rodríguez, assistant professor and Ph.D. candidate in Communication at Universidad de La Sabana. He holds a master’s degree in Journalism and Digital Communication from the same institution. He researches on audiences and disinformation, and on the intersection between journalistic narratives, emerging technologies (virtual reality), and neurosciences.

Víctor García-Perdomo, Universidad de La Sabana, Colombia

Víctor García-Perdomo, tenured professor at the Universidad de La Sabana. Ph.D. in Journalism and Communication, holds a master in Latin American Studies from the University of Texas, Austin, USA. He researches on the impact of digital technologies on the media, journalism, and the audience.

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Published

2023-09-28

How to Cite

Hernández-Rodríguez, J. C., & García-Perdomo, V. (2023). I enjoy 360° video news more, but understand them less! Gratification gained in virtual reality journalism research. Cuadernos.Info, (56), 313–333. https://doi.org/10.7764/cdi.56.60193