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This study examines the effects of micropayments on individuals' selection and engagement with online journalism. Micropayment represent a means of monetizing online content in which the user pays a small amount of money (i.e., pennies to a few dollars) for each story purchased. Realistically, micropayments have not been a viable option until recently. With the introduction of Google Wallet and other payment infrastructures, micropayments are on the tipping point of mainstream acceptance and use. This study utilizes an experimental design (N = 156) in which motivation (low versus high) and cost (no pay versus pay) were manipulated. The findings demonstrate that while individuals are willing to purchase news via micropayment, they become less likely to select news from opinion-challenging sources. In light of the results, the implications discussed include suggestions for media producers on how to create effective micropayment systems.

This study examines individuals’ understanding and judgment of news information graphics. Specifically, an experimental design was used to examine the effects of deceptive design practices on the amount of time the user spent on the graphic, information recall and perceptions of credibility. These effects were examined in a general and political news context. In the sample (N = 239), participants recalled more information from the deceptive graphic and found it less credible than the non-biased graphic.