- Lecture Title: The Paradox of News Avoidance: Psychological Relief and Public Risk

- Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Jaemin Jung, Sohn Chang-Geun Endowed Chair Professor, Moon Soul Graduate School of Future Strategy, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)

- Lecturer Bio: Jaemin Jung (Ph.D., University of Florida) holds the Sohn Chang-Geun Endowed Chair Professorship at the Moon Soul Graduate School of Future Strategy, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). His research centers on media management, media economics, and AI-driven transformations in journalism and media industries, with a particular focus on how algorithmic curation and generative AI are reshaping news production, distribution, and audience engagement.

- Lecture abstract: This study investigates the psychological and structural predictors of news avoidance and its democratic implications. Using a national survey of 3,000 adults in South Korea, we find that news avoidance is not merely low news use but a selective, affect-driven behavior. While trust in news and perceived importance mitigate avoidance, emotional discomfort emerges as the strongest predictor. News literacy moderates these effects, amplifying both resistance to and sensitivity toward news. Respondents reported psychological relief from avoidance yet recognized risks to democratic discourse. These findings highlight news avoidance as both an individual coping strategy and a broader societal challenge.

- Date & Time: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- Venue: 2.2063 Seminarraum (Fabeckstr. 23/25)
- Language: English
- To attend the event, please register in advance by contacting Mr. Seung Hwan Ryu at seunghwan.ryu@fu-berlin.de by May 18, 2026.