Reading Habits and Transmedia News Consumption in University Youth from a Post-Pandemic and Multi-Campus Perspective

This research project analyzes how Communication students at the Universidad Politécnica Salesiana (Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca campuses) consume news in the post-pandemic environment. Given the hegemony of mobile devices and social media, the study explores the concept of 'transmedia reading' and 'emerging consumption,' where news is intertwined with entertainment and social interaction on platforms not originally designed for informational purposes. The central problem addresses the displacement of traditional media and the need to understand how young people navigate this media ecosystem. The methodology is qualitative, utilizing triangulation that includes focus groups and in-depth interviews to delve into individual and collective news routines. Expected outcomes include the publication of scientific articles and the generation of inputs to update academic curricula. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the training of professionals committed to democracy and the search for truth, providing tools for critical reading of information in a global context marked by misinformation.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>To describe the emerging news consumption habits of Communication students at the Universidad Politécnica Salesiana across its Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca campuses. The project aims to identify the digital platforms used and analyze the contribution of academic training to the development of critical thinking regarding information.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Media narratives