Trust in Media: Relevance, Responsibility, and Epistemic Needs in Divided Societies

This chapter explores trust in media through an in-depth qualitative analysis of the perceptions of one group of informed and engaged citizens in Northern Ireland. The findings reveal that perceptions of trust – or the lack of it – in news media are expectedly multifaceted and dynamic, eluding simple linear explanations. Our case study respondents reflect the tension between individuals’ diverse personal news needs and the centrality of media content in their lives, and the fierce criticism directed towards the media in inflaming post-conflict sensitivities. We propose that an application of epistemic theory on trust, knowledge and personal media repertoires provides an encouraging angle for theoretical development in media and journalism studies, particularly with regard to trust.