What is meant by 'trust' in news media?

Abstract

Questions surrounding trust in news media have preoccupied scholars for almost a century. Based on a review of interdisciplinary literature, this paper maps the changing nature of news 'trust' over the past 80 years. In doing so, it highlights key issues. Firstly, there is no agreed definition of trust in news media. Secondly, there is a growing disconnection between the normative ideal of an informed citizen and the complex influences on perception of news credibility in the digital era. Thirdly, there is a tension between ideal of trust and the push for greater consumer scepticism in the age of 'fake news'. In conclusion this chapter asks whether general questions about public 'trust' in news media continue to be relevant.