Dinamiche e implicazioni della news avoidance in Italia

Abstract

In the last decade, the phenomenon of news avoidance, or the intentional or partial avoidance of news, has attracted growing attention in both journalism research and political debate regarding the potential consequences of citizens' progressive news distancing for the democratic structures of Western countries. In Italy, this phenomenon is part of a media context characterized by high politicization, a crisis of trust in information institutions, and digital transformations that have radically changed existing models of information production and consumption. This article analyzes some of the peculiarities of news avoidance in Italy, distinguishing between structural, psychological, and cultural factors, and discusses its implications for democratic participation and the quality of public debate. Through a literature review and an analysis of the Italian context, the aim is to propose a reading of the phenomenon, situating it within the international debate on news consumption in the platform society.