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A Deliberative Democracy Framework for Analysing Trust in Journalists: An Application to Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Sergio Splendore

    (Department of Social and Political Sciences, University of Milan, Italy)

  • Diego Garusi

    (Department of Communication, University of Vienna, Austria)

  • Augusto Valeriani

    (Department of Political and Social Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy)

Abstract

In the current public sphere, the “deliberative model of democracy” may represent both the necessary benchmark and the best lens through which to view developments in the public debate. Democracy can never become really deliberative without the active participation of news media. The assumption of this article is that if news media are to disseminate knowledge, trust in them is crucial. This article examines an aspect neglected by studies on media trust: trust in journalists. It presents the results of a longitudinal survey carried out in May and September 2020 in Italy, right at the end of the first mass Covid-19 lockdown (Wave 1) and after the first pandemic summer (Wave 2), therefore a time when there was a great need for quality information. The main findings reveal that the use of social media decreases trust in journalists; furthermore, those who mainly rely on political institutions’ social media accounts for information place less trust in journalists than those who mainly rely on journalistic sources on those platforms. Instead, the use of traditional media (radio, television, newspapers) increases trust in journalists.

Suggested Citation

  • Sergio Splendore & Diego Garusi & Augusto Valeriani, 2024. "A Deliberative Democracy Framework for Analysing Trust in Journalists: An Application to Italy," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 12.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:meanco:v12:y:2024:a:7251
    DOI: 10.17645/mac.7251
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Markus Prior & Arthur Lupia, 2008. "Money, Time, and Political Knowledge: Distinguishing Quick Recall and Political Learning Skills," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 52(1), pages 169-183, January.
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