With malice toward all?: the media and public confidence in democratic institutions

Key Points

• The research investigates how media influences public confidence in democratic institutions amid a crisis of confidence.
• Analyzed various media types, including print media and television news.
• Examined political talk radio's impact on public perception.
• Investigated media depictions and their contribution to confidence levels.
• Identified significant erosion of public confidence linked to media portrayal.
• Found traditional television news has a profound effect on institutional trust.
• Noted that political talk radio often fosters distrust toward democratic institutions.