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https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v10i3.5449
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Media Use and Societal Perceptions: The Dual Role of Media Trust
[journal article]
Abstract How citizens' perceptions of societal problems are shaped by media use has been a critical question in media effects research for decades. This study addresses a specific puzzle concerning media effects in contemporary fragmented media environments: the dual role of media trust as both (a) an antece... view more
How citizens' perceptions of societal problems are shaped by media use has been a critical question in media effects research for decades. This study addresses a specific puzzle concerning media effects in contemporary fragmented media environments: the dual role of media trust as both (a) an antecedent variable guiding news selection and (b) a moderator variable conditioning the effects of news use on perceptions of societal problems. Building upon the differential susceptibility to media effects model, we analyze the role of media trust for citizens’ orientation towards mainstream and alternative news media - and how such usage influences perceptions of two major societal issues: health care and school. Findings from a four-wave panel survey conducted in Sweden suggest that public service and alternative news use matter for citizens' perceptions of societal problems and that media trust influences news choices and may, partly, condition media effects.... view less
Keywords
media behavior; mass media; confidence; selection; news; Sweden
Classification
Impact Research, Recipient Research
Free Keywords
alternative media; media effects; media trust; media use; societal perceptions
Document language
English
Publication Year
2022
Page/Pages
p. 146-157
Journal
Media and Communication, 10 (2022) 3
Issue topic
Enlightening Confusion: How Contradictory Findings Help Mitigate Problematic Trends in Digital Democracies
ISSN
2183-2439
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed