Examining Audiences’ Epistemological Beliefs about Journalism: Topical Shifts in Beliefs and Implications for Journalistic Practice

This study examines individuals’ epistemological beliefs about journalism: Do people think journalists can arrive at definitive truths? How do they think journalistic knowledge should be sourced? And how do they think journalists’ knowledge claims can best be justified? Understanding such beliefs is important insofar as questions have been raised about the credibility of journalism. Insights may provide perspective on how journalists might improve their practices and repair institutional credibility. In-depth interviews with 65 Americans conducted in early 2020 are used to explore people’s beliefs about what journalists can and should do in epistemological terms. Findings show that individuals’ epistemological beliefs about journalism shift between news topics. Depending on the news topic and the perceived epistemic practices adopted by journalists, news accounts are viewed as more or less credible. The implications of these findings for journalism practice in the US are discussed.