Trust In Media Research Articles

Relationship between Social Media Use and Development of Crop Production Skills in Saudi Arabia

The current study examined the information preferences of the subscribers of various agricultural content accounts on social media as well as the perceived impact of social media on crop production skills in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from the subscribers of the agricultural content accounts of Saudi Arabia on social media using an online survey with the help of a structured questionnaire and a convenient sampling methodology. Both descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis were run to analyse the data. The majority (81%) of the respondents preferred agricultural information in the form of videos, followed by photos (75%). Moreover, a moderate to high impact was reported by the respondents on their various agricultural skills. Trust in social media had a significant negative correlation with respondents’ perceived impact on their crop production skills. The respondents’ preferences for a particular type of information had a significant positive correlation with the perceived impact of social media on their crop production skills. We conclude that subscribers’ trust in social media and their preference for agricultural information in the form of videos are the critical factors that may shape their behaviourpositively.
 
 
 
 
 

Social Media as a Health-related Information Source about the Coronavirus among a Sample of Kuwaiti Youth

Due to the rapid dissemination of COVID-19, the public community has begun following social media as a main source of health-related information daily due to the grave, life-threatening implications on patients’ health. The current study aims to (1) detect socio-demographic differences, knowledge of COVID-19 symptoms and general health, and social media trust among youth; (2) determine the degree of using social media and traditional media among youth; and (3) examine the relationship between using social media to track COVID-19 news (symptoms, general health knowledge, and social media trust) and the degree of using social media. This is a cross-sectional study conducted among 663 Kuwaiti youth from all governorates in Kuwait. A self-administrated questionnaire consisted of demographic information and variables related to using social and traditional media to receive information about COVID-19. Findings detect that females and older youth participants show higher COVID-19 general health knowledge and more trust in social media. Males reported highest in following Satellite TV channels, and Instagram as sources of health information. The youngest age group reported a greater use of social media in general. The primary social media platform for following the news is Twitter, with Kuwait TV being the main source of traditional media.
 Keywords: Social Media; Health Information; Coronavirus; Youth; Kuwait.
 

On the intricate relationship between data and theory, and the potential gain afforded by capturing very low levels of media trust: Commentary on Mangold (2024)

ABSTRACT In his paper ‘Improving media trust research through better measurement: An item response theory perspective', Frank Mangold (2024) adopts an item response theory approach to rethink and reconceptualise an existing measure of media trust, originally developed to distinguish perceptions of news media as (1) balanced, (2) fair, and (3) current. Applying an Item Response Theory approach, Mangold argues that the three factors do not capture different dimensions, but different ranges of media trust. In this commentary, we highlight the importance of capturing truly low levels of trust. We then turn to theoretical implications for trust research (e.g., discussing the theoretical relevance of the currency factor) and practical implications (e.g., discussing even more efficient measurement and quantifying the gain in measurement precision). We finally suggest some opportunities for future research that arise from Mangold's work.

Exploring the impact of social media on tourist behavior in rural mountain tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of perceived risk and community participation

PurposeThis research article aims to assess the behavior of tourists in sustainable rural mountain tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the role of social media usage. It investigates the key social media features that influence tourist behavior and introduces the concept of perceived risk as a novel variable within the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to deepen our understanding of the relationship between social media use and tourist behavior. Design/methodology/approachThe study conducts an extensive literature review and utilizes survey analysis. Three parameters—perception of risk, perception of value, and trust in social media—are employed to measure the impact of influential social media features. Statistical tests are applied to validate the new variable of perceived risk within the TAM. FindingsThe study unveils that tourists' perception of risk associated with social media has the most significant influence on their behavior in rural mountain tourism during the pandemic. Additionally, it identifies that active engagement of tourists in online discussions positively affects both tourist behavior and social media usage, emphasizing the importance of community participation. Research limitations/implicationsThe research acknowledges limitations, including the need for further validation of the perceived risk variable and the consideration of contextual influences. Future studies should explore additional variables and encompass diverse tourist populations to expand the understanding of social media usage and tourist behavior in rural mountain regions. Contribution of researchThis research significantly advances the understanding of tourist behavior in sustainable rural mountain tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic by introducing the novel variable of “perceived risk” within the Technology Acceptance Model. The study identifies influential social media features and underscores the positive effects of participatory habits, providing valuable insights for promoting sustainable tourism through targeted social media interventions. Practical implicationsThis research holds significant practical implications for practitioners and policymakers seeking to promote sustainable tourism in rural mountain regions, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The identification of influential social media features and the emphasis on participatory habits among tourists offer actionable insights. Practitioners can leverage these findings to design targeted social media interventions that foster community engagement and enhance tourists' perception of value while mitigating perceived risks. Policymakers can use this information to shape strategies that encourage interactive online platforms, creating a sense of community participation to boost sustainable tourism.

Information-Seeking and Risk Perception to Explain Infection-Prevention Behaviors: Conditional Analysis on Trust in Media and Government as Moderator.

This study aims to explore how the relationship between information-seeking and infection-prevention behaviors through risk perception changes according to the level of trust in the media and government. The study is a secondary data analysis of data from a cross-sectional national survey of 700 adults living in the community, representing different age groups, genders, and geographic regions. A validated questionnaire was used to assess information-seeking behaviors, trust in media and government, and risk perception to explain infection-prevention behaviors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A conditional analysis was conducted using SPSS and PROCESS macro (Model 7) to identify the effect of moderated mediation. The participants were fairly balanced by gender and age group. Most participants learned about COVID-19 through major broadcasts and television (56.7%) followed by internet media (21.7%). Information-seeking and risk perception together explained 17% of the variance in infection-prevention behaviors (F=63.95, p<0.01). The standardized indirect effect (β=0.04, BootCI 0.02, 0.06) was significant at 95% CI. The moderated mediation index (M=-0.04, CI -0.05, -0.01) indicates that trust in media and government influences the effect of information-seeking on risk perception and infection-prevention behavior even after controlling for age and gender. Information-seeking behaviors affect infection-prevention behaviors directly and indirectly through risk perception. Trust in media and government modulates this relationship, emphasizing the importance of establishing trust to promote effective risk communication and long-term public compliance with infection-prevention practices. Health authorities should focus on building trust through transparent risk communication and integrating diverse media perspectives. Further research is needed to explore the psychological and social mechanisms underlying trust in media and government through qualitative, cross-cultural comparisons.

Managing social commerce: does customer review quality matter?

On social commerce, customers frequently exchange product reviews. A deeper understanding of customer review quality is essential for managing social commerce more effectively. The current study examines the effects of customer review quality on social commerce satisfaction, trust in social media, and trust in social commerce consumers. Participants in the study comprised 272 individuals. This study found customer review quality influences social commerce satisfaction, trust in social media, and trust in social commerce consumers. Additionally, trust in social media, but not trust in social commerce consumers, influences social commerce satisfaction.

Is the degree of religiosity related to community belonging and trust in society? A cross-sectional study among Muslims in Norway

IntroductionIt is unclear if the degree of religiosity within Muslim minority groups causes health inequality because of poor community belonging and lack of trust in society. We aimed to investigate the association of the degree of Muslim religiosity with community belonging and trust in society, including general trust and trust in political authorities, political power, media and monarchy. MethodsThis study had a cross-sectional design, including a random sample of 1129 men and women aged 18–85 years, originating from Muslim countries and currently living in Norway. Data were retrieved from the Norwegian Central Population Register. ResultsIn logistic regression analyses, adjusted for confounders, the degree of Muslim religiosity was not associated with general trust (crude odds ratio [OR] = 1.00, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91–1.10; p = 0.90) or trust in political authorities (OR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.87–1.06; p = 0.40) and monarchy (OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.84–1.00; p = 0.08). However, the degree of Muslim religiosity showed a negative association with trust in political power (OR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.83–1.00; p = 0.04) and media (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.73–0.87; p < 0.01), whereas there was a positive association with community belonging (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01–1.21; p = 0.03). ConclusionA higher degree of Muslim religiosity, compared with lower, was not a barrier to trust in society or community belonging among Muslims in Norway. Hence, these findings support the use of culturally sensitive health interventions involving Muslim religiosity in reaching out to Muslim communities. Considering the negative association of the degree of Muslim religiosity with trust in political power and media, the involvement of politicians and political symbols or the use of traditional media in public health communication with this minority group should be pursued with caution.

The Effect of Health-Related Media Messages on Fear and Uncertainty about the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This study was conducted to investigate individuals' perceptions of media messages about the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect of these messages on their fear and uncertainty. Data for this descriptive correlational study were collected between October and November 2020. A total of 653 individuals living in Turkey provided online survey data by completing a Personal Information Form, the Pandemic Uncertainty Scale, and the COVID-19 Pandemic Fear Scale. The mean age of the participants was 52.1 ± 12.6, and 79.9% were female. It was found that 27.9% of participants "always" followed COVID-19 news in the media, and 41.3% "often" followed COVID-19-related news. Participants' COVID-19 fear (24.46 ± 8.07) and uncertainty (55.35 ± 8.63) scores were moderate and correlated. Level of trust in mass media was found to affect uncertainty about the pandemic. As level of trust in mass media increased, uncertainty about the pandemic decreased. Appropriate measures must be identified and adopted for effective and safe media use in situations posing massive and significant health threats such as COVID-19.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Network Security Tools in Mitigating the Impact of Deepfakes AI on Public Trust in Media

Assessing the Effectiveness of Network Security Tools in Mitigating the Impact of Deepfakes AI on Public Trust in Media

In a reciprocal relationship? Examining the development and relationship between media trust and satisfaction with the government’s Coronavirus policy in Germany over time

Angesichts der politischen Folgen der Corona-Krise untersuchte die vorliegende Studie die wechselseitige Beziehung zwischen der Zufriedenheit mit der Corona-Politik der Bundesregierung und Medienvertrauen während des ersten Jahres der Corona-Pandemie in Deutschland. Auf Basis von Daten einer Panelbefragung, die zwischen April 2020 und April 2021 durchgeführt wurde, wurde ein Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Modell berechnet, um die wechselseitige Beziehung im Zeitverlauf zu untersuchen. Die Befunde zeigen einen starken Zusammenhang zwischen den Random Intercepts, d.h. Personen, die generell zufriedener mit der Corona-Politik der Regierung waren, haben auch generell ein höheres Medienvertrauen als der Durchschnitt und andersherum. Auf der Ebene der Einzelpersonen zeigte sich hingegen nur ein zeitverzögerter Effekt zu einem bestimmten Zeitpunkt während der Coronapandemie, nämlich, dass Veränderungen in der Zufriedenheit mit der Corona-Politik innerhalb einer Person im November 2020 zu Veränderungen im Medienvertrauen im April 2021 führen. Es wurde kein wechselseitiger Einfluss über die Zeit gefunden.

Conflict among experts in health recommendations and corresponding public trust in health experts.

Public trust in health experts has been decreasing leading to decreased adherence to expert recommendations. To evaluate public perceptions of conflict and uncertainty among experts in healthcare recommendations and association with decreased trust in health entities for accurate health information. Analysis of the US nationally representative Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 6-2022). Adults aged 18 and older were respondents to the survey (unweighted n = 5,842, representing 241 million adults). The main outcome was trust in doctors, scientists and government health agencies for health information. Analyses examined trust in experts with public perceptions of conflict about recommendations and changing recommendations. There was high trust in doctors for health information (95%) versus 84% in scientists and 70% in government health agencies. Only 18% have high trust in the health information on social media. Respondents who felt expert recommendations change often were less likely to have high trust (65%) in government agencies compared to those who felt that the recommendations did not often change (82%) (p < 0.01). In logistic regressions controlling for age, sex, race, education, income and trust in social media for health information perceptions of low conflict among expert health recommendations is associated with likelihood of high trust in government health agencies (OR 2.86; 95% CI 1.96-4.15). The public has low trust in government health agencies and perceptions of conflict among experts over recommendations is likely playing a role in the erosion of trust in health experts.

The development of global environmental concern during the last three decades

The environmental concern of a country's population is an important prerequisite for addressing environmental problems, foremost reducing CO2 emissions and limiting global warming. In this paper, we analyze the development of environmental concern by using the newest wave of the environmental module of the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP) for 29 countries. First, we discuss the measurement of environmental concern and construct a ranking of countries according to the 2020 survey results. Second, we analyze the determinants of environmental concern by employing multilevel models that take individual effects as well as context effects into account. The results show that environmental concern has increased in almost all nations since the last measurement in 2010. The country ranking is headed by European nations such as Switzerland, France and Germany. The USA takes a middle position and China ranks number 20. We observe more variance within countries at the individual level as compared to the differences between countries. At the individual level, environmental concern is closely related to education, post-materialistic values, political attitudes, and individuals' trust in the news media and in science. At the country level, the average environmental concern increases with the wealth of nations.

Trust in a Digital World. The Roles of Media Trust and Ordinary Citizen Cues in Online Disinformation’s Credibility

The perception of disinformation as societal risk has reached a troubling peak amid the COVID-19 pandemic, strategically targeting vulnerable audiences through digital media by mirroring characteristics of vox populi disinformation. This study investigates the conditions under which COVID-19-related disinformation referring to a polarized (refugees) and neutral (runners) out-group appears most credible. In the early stages of the pandemic, we conducted a pre-registered online survey experiment with a representative German sample (N = 1,117). Results indicated that those with low trust in the media judged subtle and completely fabricated types of disinformation as more credible than accurate information. Presenting the article as a social media post from an ordinary user, rather than an official source, had no discernible impact on credibility evaluations; participants accurately assessed the credibility of a random source. We conclude that people are generally able to recognize disinformation—unless they already mistrust the media. This paper addresses why disinformation triggers strong reactions in targeted groups and how it thrives in the participatory digital landscape.

Another Covid Causality: Global Journalism

This study investigates the profound impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the global media landscape and its consequential effects on journalism. Utilizing the secondary data analysis method, this study explores how the pandemic affected journalists worldwide. The study argues that the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated media commercialization globally due to the ensuing global recession. Simultaneously, there was a noticeable push by politicians to exert greater influence over the media, seeking to conceal their misdeeds and shortcomings, as well as to propagate their narratives through the press. This encompassed discussions about the coronavirus’s origin, transmission, and containment efforts, often as a means to gain advantages over domestic and international political adversaries. Many outlets, faced with fiscal and political adversity, unwittingly became conduits for such political propaganda, a consequence both of their struggle for survival and their lack of preparedness to navigate a crisis of such magnitude. Consequently, a surge of disinformation and misinformation regarding the virus’s origin and mitigation permeated media outlets, resulting in a crisis of credibility. The aftermath reveals a disheartening decline in public trust in mass media that significantly impeded vaccination initiatives.

Media Ethics in the Era of Clickbait Journalism: Ethical Dilemmas and Solutions in Online Media

This article explores the complex terrain of media ethics in the context of modern clickbait journalism. It examines the pervasive ethical dilemmas arising from the widespread adoption of sensational and misleading content to maximize online engagement and revenue. Drawing upon a multidisciplinary approach, this research elucidates the impact of clickbait on traditional journalistic values such as accuracy, objectivity, transparency, and public interest. Furthermore, it highlights the ethical quandaries faced by media professionals, the potential erosion of public trust in media, and the broader societal consequences. In addition to elucidating the ethical dilemmas posed by clickbait journalism, this article proposes viable solutions and strategies to mitigate its adverse effects. Exploring the role of media literacy, technological tools, and evolving ethical frameworks it offers a comprehensive perspective on how the media industry can navigate the ethical challenges of the digital age while upholding the principles of responsible journalism. This research contributes to the ongoing scholarly discourse surrounding media ethics, providing insights and guidance for media practitioners, scholars, and policymakers seeking to promote integrity and credibility in online media.

Trust in Mass Media as Sources of Cancer Information: Findings from a Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Survey in Japan

Trust is a major factor in effective public dissemination and use of relevant health information to guide important health decisions. To examine mass media as a communication channel for delivering cancer information among Japanese adults, we identified the level of trust in various types of mass media as sources of cancer information, and examined factors associated with trust, including exposure to mass media, sociodemographic factors, and cancer history. Data were analyzed for 3,109 Japanese adults who responded to a nationally representative cross-sectional mail survey. Data included trust in cancer information sources, sociodemographic variables, cancer history, and exposure to mass media. Logistic regression analysis was used. The prevalence of high trust in cancer information sources was highest for physicians (94.7%). Among mass media, Internet (47.2%) was the most trusted source of cancer-related information, followed by television (44.3%), newspapers/magazines (42.7%), and radio (32.7%). The high-exposure group for newspapers (AOR = 1.28, 95%CI = 1.07–1.54) was more likely to trust newspapers. Similarly, high-exposure groups for radio (1.22, 1.02–1.45), Internet (1.21, 1.01–1.45), and television (1.30, 1.10–1.53) were positively associated with trust in each media type. Although trust in mass media was lower than trust in physicians, the study found that a large group of respondents had high levels of trust in mass media sources. Trust in cancer information from each mass media type was mainly related to the level of exposure to each mass media type. Developing health communication strategies using mass media may be effective for disseminating relevant cancer information in Japan.

Trust in News and Trust through News

Abstract On the one hand, media is an instrument of social and political trust building: Through it, trustful citizens are formed and socialized as members of a political community. On the other hand, the media is also an object of trust. And the degree people trust the media and its products has important consequences for the legitimacy of government. The authors use data from their own survey to help answer the question of how trust correlates with patterns of media consumption. They find that consumption of legacy media increases social, political and media trust, whereas social media use demonstrates differing platform-specific patterns. The authors could also state some country differences in terms of how media consumption is related to trust.

Perceptions of data journalism and its impact on democratising Arab news media

This study explores the perceptions of data journalism among specialised Arab audiences in the context of declining trust in media and government institutions. Through interviews with respondents from data-processing fields and NGOs, this study examines the perceived effectiveness of data journalism in informing audiences, its credibility compared to existing forms of journalism, and its potential and limitations in democratising the regional media environment. The findings revealed that the perceived effectiveness of data journalism lies in its ability to validate misleading information, provide direction for decision-making, and distinguish itself from common information found on social media or other public sites. This was achieved by offering context, presenting evidence, and supporting claims. However, data journalism is also viewed sceptically, as its perceived ability to inform audiences depends on context and audience. Moreover, the potential for data journalism to democratise the region’s media environment faces constraints beyond the structural and individual limits highlighted in previous studies. It encompasses matters related to journalistic practice and integrity, impacting other forms of journalism in the region.

Second screening and trust in professional and alternative media: the mediating role of media efficacy

Abstract In the media convergence landscape, consumption of traditional, well-established media is increasingly combined with newer digital and online platforms such as blogs, podcasts, and social media, which has changed the way news users engage with media content. This study examines the relationship between hybrid media use—specifically, second screening—and trust in both professional and alternative media. Drawing on a two-wave U.S. panel data, first, we find that the second screening positively predicts individuals’ belief in the media’s ability to help them comprehend complex political matters, known in the literature as media efficacy. Furthermore, second screening is positively associated with alternative media trust but is not significantly related to trust in professional media. However, media efficacy positively mediates the connection between second screening and trust in both alternative and professional media. By delivering valuable information to help the public understand intricate political topics, the second screening promotes news media trust.

Psychological Factors of Vaccination Intent among Healthcare Providers, Parents, and Laypeople.

The interrelatedness of social-structural aspects and psychological features with vaccination intention provides the context to explore personal psychological features related to vaccination. Specifically, we focused on general decision making and vaccine-related dispositions, and their contribution to the intention to vaccinate, within post-pandemic circumstances, after the imposed possibility of choosing a vaccine brand. Our study aimed to map the function (promotive, protective, risk, vulnerability) of a set of personal psychological aspects in the intention to vaccinate among people holding different social roles regarding the vaccination. We surveyed three samples of people: healthcare providers (HPs), parents, and laypeople, within the post-pandemic context. Negative vaccine attitudes lower intention to vaccinate in all regression models (all βs ranging from -0.128 to -0.983, all ps < 0.01). The main results indicate that, regardless of the sample/social role, there is a shared attitudinal core for positive vaccination intention. This core consists of [high] trust in large corporations, government, and healthcare systems, as well as perceived consensus on vaccine safety/efficacy and experience of freedom (protective factors), and [low] vaccination conspiracy beliefs, trust in social media, and choice overload (risk and vulnerability factors, respectively). There are no common promotive factors of intention to vaccinate: for parents, perceived consensus on vaccines, and trust in corporations and the healthcare system, play such roles; for HPs, the experience of freedom is obtained as a unique promotive factor. In contrast, for laypeople, no unique promotive factors were found. Our findings provide insights into the function of psychological factors of vaccination intention across different social roles, particularly healthcare providers, parents, and laypeople, and emphasize the need for tailored immunization interventions in the post-pandemic landscape.