Trust in Online Journalism

Abstract

With professional journalism being subject to major changes due to the process of digitalization, the development of the recipients’ trust in journalism must be reconsidered. In this paper, we propose a conceptual model for trust in online journalism which takes into consideration both influential characteristics of the recipients and changes within journalism itself. This conceptualization is based on a sociological and psychological understanding of trust as well as a systems-theoretical definition of journalism. We thereby argue that socio-demographic, personal and situational aspects regarding the recipients (as the trustors) affect trust in journalism (as the trustee). While socio-demographics and political ideologies lose influence on the development of trust compared to offline journalism, specific media behavior gains in importance. Furthermore, changes within the criteria for the correct functioning of the existing journalistic programs, which are considered antecedents of trustworthiness, as well as the emergence of new antecedents within these programs and external factors influence whether journalism is perceived as trustworthy in the online context. In sum, we posit that the development of trust in online journalism becomes more difficult, especially due to changes within journalism itself. Our model enables further research by laying the groundwork for empirical measurement regarding the difference between trust in offline and online journalism.