Whom to trust? Media exposure patterns of citizens with perceptions of misinformation and disinformation related to the news media

TLDR

The study examines how perceptions of misinformation and disinformation in the general news media environment influence media trust and consumption patterns, using survey data from 10 European countries. The authors surveyed citizens across these countries to assess perceptions of misinformation and disinformation and their impact on media trust and consumption. Perceptions of misinformation and disinformation lower trust in news media, reduce TV news consumption, increase reliance on social media and alternative outlets, and are linked to anti‑establishment worldviews, with stronger effects for disinformation.

Abstract

This study tests how perceptions of misinformation and disinformation in one’s general news media environment relate to media trust and media consumption patterns, relying on survey data from 10 European countries. The results show that perceptions of misinformation and disinformation are both related to reduced trust in the news media. Furthermore, they go hand in hand with reduced consumption of traditional TV news, but with no changes in newspaper and (mainstream) online news use. Finally, those with stronger perceptions of misinformation and disinformation are more likely to consume news on social media and alternative, non-mainstream outlets. This pattern is stronger for those with higher perceptions of disinformation. These findings indicate that news users who distrust the veracity and honesty of the news media may turn to alternative outlets that reflect anti-establishment worldviews.