Satire from a far-away land: psychological distance and satirical news

Satirical news and its effects on outcomes such as appreciation persuasion have gained considerable currency a topic of research in mass communication studies. Through the framework construal level theory, we investigated whether different levels spatial distance influence these effects. In between-subjects experiment, participants United Kingdom (UK; n = 282) New Zealand (NZ; 370) read satirical or non-satirical text summarizing study reporting negative impact increased digital device screen time young children. Depending condition, texts referred to entities locations either participant’s own country (spatially close) foreign distant). Results showed significant main audience perceptions, emotions, attitudes. While there were no interactions between article type (satirical vs. regular news) (close distant), our results indicated that was associated with higher perceptions for both UK NZ well social participants. Exploratory indirect-effects analyses found several indirect through psychological We take initial evidence suggesting are potential variables consider future investigations news.