Comments on: Trust catching up with media technology - poll

By: Josie

Josie — Thu, 04 May 2006 16:38:48 +0000

Anyone know how trust in media has changed over the years in the UK/ world? What are the figures for 100, 50, 20, 20 or 5 years ago?

It would seem logical that trust in mainstream media has fallen as a direct result of the increase in alternative and independent sources of news via internet technology. Obviously, this doesn’t explain the whole picture as so many people, even in the West, are not connected, or do not use the internet for this ‘alternative’ purpose.

But it could definately be argued that the general trend towards opening up to multiple different sources of content and therefore different viewpoints can filter through to people who don’t necessarily use the internet.

In short, alternative and independent media is definately a good thing - and if it means that trust in the ‘gatekeepers’ is falling, then so be it. A little healthy scepticism never did anyone any harm.

Finally - How do you define trust in the media, surely it’s a fluid concept that changes according to the issue and the political and social environment of the time? I imagine if you asked people in the ten most censored countries (see http://www.cpj.org) whether they ‘trust’ their media, they would probably say yes. And they wouldn’t be wrong to say it.

Josie Hill

By: jdeoc

jdeoc — Thu, 04 May 2006 13:27:16 +0000

no, i d’ont trust the media

By: PeterC

PeterC — Thu, 04 May 2006 11:55:54 +0000

I agree with Ronald. The traditional media (TM?) have to learn that were capable of making our own mind up. When they report in a blatantly tendentious way, were forced to go to alternative sources to get the other side(s) of the story. They should peddle news, not agendas.

By: Mohammed

Mohammed — Thu, 04 May 2006 11:34:35 +0000

Being multi-linguistic I am among those who are lucky enough to evaluate the different prespective of the media.

You don’t have to go that far, just you can see the different title that they give to the same event which some times appear to be contradicotory.

They are well aware of their addressee and the very same issue which weight the same might be reporeted as a `breaking` at one might be ignored at the other.

Thanks to the alternatives, but never rely on number of visitors as there are many who click on to see how things are reported being on the spot.

cheers

By: Ronald Martin

Ronald Martin — Thu, 04 May 2006 09:29:24 +0000

Until the media returns to publishing news and not opinions, half truths and lies presented as facts, then the low ratings of trust will continue.
We so often read or listen to demands for peoples resignation in public life, yet I for one have yet to hear of one editor resigning over the publication of lies, even after paying massive fines after a court hearing.