The Consequences of Trust in the Media: A Moderating Effect of Media Trust on the Relationship between Attention to Television and Political Knowledge

Abstract

Over time there has been a decline in the amount of trust individuals place in the media. Concern arises that a perception of lack of legitimacy in the media may adversely affect representative democracy since majority of Americans depend on the media for their political information. The purpose of this study is to examine the following question: Does a lack of trust in the media moderate the influence that attention to politics on television has on political knowledge? The results support the previously expressed concern. Those who are more trusting of the media demonstrate a greater affect of TV on knowledge in comparison to those who are less trusting.

Keywords: trust in the media, political knowledge, attention to television