ABSTRACT INFORMATION-DRIVEN FEAR: KIDNAPPING AND ABDUCTION ONLINE NEWS REPORTS' INFLUENCE ON FEAR OF VICTIM1ZATIONAND PREVENTION PRACTICES OF PSAU STUDENTS ERWIN AUGUIS ARINAS Pampanga State Agricultural University Bachelor of Science ín Development Communication May 2023 Renz Q. Garcia Title Researcher School Degree Date Completed Adviser The study aimed to determine the influence of kiídnapping and abduction online news reports on the fear of víctimization and prevention practices of Pampanga State Agricultural Uníversity students. It identified the respondents' socio-demographic profile, frequency of exposure to kidnapping and abduction online news reports, prevention practices against kídnapping and abduction, and the relationships between socio-demographic profile and degree of fear of victímization; frequency of exposure and degree of fear of victimization; and frequency of exposure and prevention practices. A quantitatíve inferential research method was used in the study, and a survey questionnaire was disseminated to the 380 college students from Pampanga State Agricultural University. Frequency Distribution Table, Mean, and Chí-square test were used for statistical analysis. The study's findings revealed that most of the respondents are 20-21 years old, mostly females, and have a monthly family income of less than 20,000 pesos. Also, most of them were often (five to seven days per week) and sometimes (at least one to three days per week) exposed to kidnapping and abduction online news reports. In terms of their degree of fear of victimization, the students were substantially fearful of becoming victims of kídnapping and abduction. Meanwhile, among the most practiced preventive measures to avoid being victimized by such crimes, students are being responsible for sharing information with other people, particularly strangers, being cautious of their surroundings, and having open communication with their loved ones. The findings also demonstrated a strong link between respondents' sex and degree of fear of victimization. The frequency of exposure to crime news and the degree of fear of victimization are also significantly related. As such, it is recommended that the government and non-government officials, school institutions, media practitioners, and parents strengthen their efforts, campaigns, and educate the students to practice proper crime news consumption and promote necessary preventive measures to lessen people's fear and chances of victimization.