With media being one of the first sectors of the information economy to be fully (i.e. with respect to its design, production, distribution, and consumption) digitized, an era of its management has come to an end. Existing boundaries between different media types have collapsed, as well as all limitations about time and space of media dissemination. However, this seemingly limitless expansion of media markets and media overabundance has come across a new barrier, which is that of human/consumers’attention needed for media consumption. Given shortening attention spans (as documented by empirical research), attention is increasingly perceived as the most valuable resource for the media sector and new strategies for attracting, retaining and sustaining attention must be devised and managed. Managing attention is now becoming the new core of media management.

JEL: Z1, M11, D8

The Use of Social Media by Generation Z During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Social media have become one of the most important sources of information, especially for the young generation of users. The article presents the results of research conducted at the beginning of 2021 among 311 representatives of the Generation Z. The survey method was applied using the CAWI online questionnaire technique. Based on the conducted research, the type of information sought in social media was determined, indicating also the most useful, i.e. accessible and credible media, regarding the time of the pandemic. Predominantly, the respondents searched for information related to the number of infections in Poland, quarantine procedures and infection rate around the world. In the opinion of respondents, the Internet, in particular, Twitter and Facebook, is more useful than traditional media.

JEL: O33

Instagram as a Space for Sharing Information About Returning to Work. Analysis of the Post #Mamawracadopracy

The article is devoted to the issue of mothers returning to work, after being on parental leave due to the birth of a child. The theoretical part presents the specifics of the Instagram social network, which was used by women who have children, as well as the results of secondary research on searching for the source of origin and work. The research part presents the results of the analysis of the content communicated on Instagram by mothers returning to work. The results of the research show that for many ‘instamothers’online activity is a substitute for social relation, and makes them willing to share their observations also regarding the topic of returning to work. Moreover, the analysis of the posts showed that some mothers perceive motherhood as a limitation in shaping their professional career, while other mothers are convinced that it is their work that limits them in fulfilling the role of mother.

JEL: M0, M12

Selected Social Media in Government Communication in The Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Given the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused global social and economic disruptions, including the largest global recession since the Great Depression, and therefore the lack of reliable information on the situation related to the spread of the virus, Polish authorities in government news releases, through social campaigns, reached for social media. The article aimed to identify and analyze selected media tools used in government communication during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland, as well as an attempt to assess this type of communication. The text uses methods such as case study, desk research, and media content analysis. The following research questions were posed: how did the Polish government try to inform the public opinion about the dangers of the pandemic? What content was the government communicating to the Poles through social campaigns regarding the pandemic? What was the reaction of Polish society to crisis government communication? What picture is emerging from the crisis government communication using social media in Poland during the pandemic, and what are the conclusions of this? Research has shown that the crisis communication of the Polish government sparked a discussion of a confused society on social media. At the same time, it showed the inability of the Polish government to use social media to communicate with society in a life- and health-threatening situation. The article joins the discussion on the methods and quality of government communication in Poland during the greatest crisis of the 21st century.

JEL: H12, M38

Information That Is Publicly Available on Social Media and Cyberstalking. Case Study

This article will discuss the topic of cyberstalking, which currently does not have a clear legal definition, neither scientific nor linguistic. Nowadays, various behaviors may be referred to as cyberstalking, which undoubtedly does not make it easier for law enforcement authorities to catch potential perpetrators. The text will analyze the behavior of a Polish TikToker nicknamed Diskorolka in terms of criminal liability for cyberstalking. Using primarily the dogmatic-legal method, i.e. through the interpretation of legal acts and jurisprudence of the authors’criminal law, analyzes in the text of the behavior. In the article, the author will also refer to statistics on cyberstalking.

JEL: K14