Trust in the media: How will we inform ourselves in future?

 

Result

The media are an important part of a vibrant democracy and stand for independence, control and opinion-forming. As the so-called fourth power in the state, they uncover grievances and contribute to the transparency of the state. Consequently, eight out of ten citizens also see the media as a guarantor for maintaining citizens' trust in institutions. The older generation shows an above-average approval rate here, while younger people are somewhat more reserved, but three quarters still agree.

 

Reasons

The importance of the media for society is emphasised by their constitutional protection. Article 5 of the Basic Law guarantees freedom of the press and broadcasting, prohibits state interference and censorship and ensures access to publicly accessible information. These protective rights emphasise the central role of the media in democracy. Their tasks include informing the public, controlling state power and promoting a free opinion-forming process. The media thus make a significant contribution to preserving basic democratic principles and ensuring an informed society. In their information function, they report to the public on social processes and current events. They convey political positions, explain conflicts and challenges and provide a wealth of background information. Through analyses, commentaries and discussions, they help people to better understand complex issues, enabling them to form their own differentiated opinions.

In this way, they take on the task of raising political awareness in a broader sense, especially as their independence and neutrality means that in most cases they do not represent individual interests but take all perspectives into account. The impression of independence is reinforced when the media offer open platforms for discussion and debate. This opportunity promotes a sense of participation, which in turn strengthens trust in the media and their role in the democratic process.

In their control function, the media uncover grievances, scrutinise the decisions of leaders and institutions and thus contribute to the transparency of the state. Citizens consider the media's distance from politics and business to be particularly important. This integrity enables them to criticise measures and point out alternatives. This is particularly expected of public broadcasters, as they are more committed to balanced and diverse reporting than private media.

In addition to their basic tasks and functions, media serve as a tool for forming collective identities and promoting social cohesion. They create common points of reference that give groups a sense of unity and belonging. Examples of this are national identities such as „We live in a diverse society“, regional affiliations such as „We are Bavaria“ or communities of values such as „We are committed to protecting the planet as environmentalists“. The media therefore help to spread common ideas, convey values and emphasise their importance for the community. At the same time, they encourage a critical examination of these values and stimulate social dialogue, which strengthens trust between different groups.

In terms of generational differences, the lower level of approval among younger people can be explained primarily by their specific media usage. They increasingly get their news from social networks, influencers or alternative platforms such as YouTube, TikTok or Reddit. Traditional media such as newspapers, television and radio play a smaller role, which is why they are considered to be less important for building trust. They are also aware of the influence of filter bubbles, echo chambers, algorithms and disinformation and are consequently more sceptical of reputable media. Older people, on the other hand, often have a longer relationship with traditional media, trust them more than social networks and, above all, see their potential as an instrument of control and an important pillar of democracy.

 

Forecast

The media will continue to play a central role for democracy and social cohesion in the future. Its function as the fourth power will remain indispensable in order to ensure transparency and uncover abuses. This control function will continue to be crucial for strengthening citizens' trust in institutions and ensuring the integrity of democratic processes. The independence of the media from political and economic interests remains particularly important, as this is the only way they can guarantee their credibility. To complement their role as critical reporters in a meaningful way, the media will also increasingly emphasise positive developments in the future. Advances in science, such as new medical treatment methods, technological innovations in the field of mobility or sustainable construction projects, offer inspiring examples of social progress. Such reports strengthen confidence in society's ability to master even complex challenges. Similarly, reports on civic engagement, successful social initiatives such as training programmes for refugees or infrastructure projects that create new jobs promote a sense of community, contribute to a more optimistic attitude and at the same time show concrete solutions to social problems.

Reporting that not only highlights difficulties, but also emphasises successes and solutions, opens up new perspectives and draws attention to the opportunities for positive social change.

In order to better reach the younger generation (in particular), traditional media will adapt their offerings even more strongly to digital formats. A presence on social networks, video platforms or through interactive apps will help to meet their media usage habits. At the same time, it remains essential to counteract disinformation, filter bubbles and echo chambers in order to secure one's own credibility in the long term.