Trust in the media and its consequences

Trust plays a key role in all areas of life. In an increasingly complex and globalised world, the media serve as the primary source of information for most recipients about events that lie outside their own sphere of experience and perception. However, trust is necessary in the relationship between the public and the media, as their own knowledge, experience and non-media sources are insufficient or completely lacking to verify the content of news reports. This book therefore examines the concept of ’trust in the media’ and its consequences for recipients. Through a systematic analysis of studies on the topic of the book, four categories are identified in addition to differing definitions and different operationalisations of media trust with regard to the consequences of trust in the media. These include effects on the political knowledge and behaviour of recipients, consequences for trust in other institutions, effects on the subjective perception of the audience and an influence on media use.