A new study by the Reuters Institute Trust in News Project explores the diverse perspectives on trust in news media and coverage among historically marginalized communities in Brazil, India, the UK, and the US. The study used qualitative methods, including focus groups, to gain a more nuanced understanding of the factors that contribute to trust and distrust in news media. The findings highlight the importance of better representation of marginalized communities in news coverage and the need for news organizations to prioritize the allocation of resources to address these disparities.
The study found that people from marginalized communities have a deep skepticism towards news media that reflects and reinforces dominant group perspectives, leading to a lack of trust in news organizations. The participants in the study expressed a general sense of skepticism towards all news media and held a deep suspicion about the motives of news organizations. They attributed their distrust to what they saw as chronic bias in reporting that purported to be fair and impartial.
However, the study also found that the critiques expressed by marginalized communities often resonate as similar to those expressed by privileged audiences. The stakes, however, were often higher for marginalized communities, as they are more likely to pay a personal price for inaccurate and inadequate representation in news coverage. The study emphasizes that better representing marginalized and underserved communities in news coverage requires a willingness to confront and rectify these disparities.
The report provides important insights into the complex and varied perspectives on trust in news and offers concrete steps that news organizations can take to build trust with underrepresented communities. By prioritizing better representation of marginalized communities and allocating resources to address disparities, news organizations can begin to address the deep-rooted issues that contribute to distrust in news media.
Click the link below to read the full findings.
News for the powerful and privileged: how misrepresentation and underrepresentation of disadvantaged communities undermine their trust in news
The Reuters Institute Trust in News Project's new study highlights the diverse perspectives on trust in news media and coverage among historically marginalized communities in Brazil, India, the UK, and the US, emphasizing the need for better representation and resource allocation to address disparities.
