Media Skepticism and Climate of Opinion Perception

Bibliographic Data

ID23327239
AuthorsYariv Tsfati (0000-0001-7395-3257, University of Haifa, corresponding author)
Year2003
Volume15
Issue1
Pages65-82
Publication date2003-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal for Quality in Health Care (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1353-4505 • E-ISSN: 1464-3677
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/ijpor/15.1.65
OpenAlexW2125408846
LanguageEN
Citations received84
References cited16

Several theoretical standpoints argue that the news media have a strong influence on audiences' perceptions of the social opinion climate. However, these theories sometimes ignore the active and critical role played by audiences in their interaction with news sources. This paper explores the association between opinion climate perceptions and audience mistrust of the news media. Data collected during the US presidential campaign of 2000 (N = 501) are used to test the hypothesis that media skepticism plays a part in the perception of the climate of opinion. Findings show that when people did not trust the media, they tended to reject the mediated climate of opinion. On the other hand, when people had faith in the media, they tended to consistently converge with the media's election predictions. Implications for media scholars are discussed.

Epistemology · Faith · Mass media · News media · Perception · Political science · Politics · Presidential campaign · Presidential election · Presidential system · Public opinion · Public relations · Skepticism · Law · Media Studies and Communication · Opinion Dynamics and Social Influence · Psychology · Social Media and Politics · Social Psychology

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