​Virtual reality entertainment has been a growth industry among audiences and creators alike as companies seek to find the most engaging uses of the new technology. In the field of journalism, news distributors are also considering VR’s power to bring news to readers in ways never before imagined.  In a series of studies with teams at PBS Frontline and HuffPo, MIP researchers analyzed the impact of virtual reality on participants’ knowledge acquisition, behavior and attitudes.

Does Medium Matter?

PBS FRONTLINE joined forces with pioneering filmmaker Nonny de la Peña at Emblematic thanks to a grant from the Knight Foundation to create a series of virtual reality experiences to bring attention to the issues of solitary confinement and climate change. The Media Impact Project served as evaluators and developed a best practices guide for content creators.

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Creating Virtual Reality Journalism. A Guide for Best Practices (from PBS FRONTLINE).
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Through the Looking Glass

This report describes research examining whether experiencing 360º immersive videos on different platforms influences viewer knowledge, attitudes, and behavior towards the content. This study used Huffington Post 360º videos on the topic of neglected tropical diseases.

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The Norman Lear Center's Media Impact Project researches how entertainment and news influence our thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, knowledge and actions. We work with researchers, the film and TV industry, nonprofits, and news organizations, and share our research with the public. We are part of the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.