A survey by Statista shows that distrust of these media is widespread. To restore trust in the media, both news organizations and journalists must redefine their roles and responsibilities in society and take concrete action.

How great is the skepticism towards established media?
This question can be answered with the help of Statista Consumer Insights. According to them, the proportion of respondents who do not trust the so-called mainstream media is 17 percent in Switzerland. This value is somewhat lower in Austria (15 percent) and Germany (14 percent). The distrust is particularly high in France, as a look at the graphic shows.
The Danes, on the other hand, are almost universally convinced of the integrity of the press. A look at Germany, for example, shows that trust in the media is no small matter. Here the aggressiveness towards media professionals increases. “It is shocking that the number of attacks in Germany has risen to a record high,” said Michael Rediske from Reporters Without Borders. The result: the country has slipped five places in the latest press freedom rankings.
Sources; Statista , Reporters Without Borders
Skepticism towards established media: A deep look, from Mimikama's perspective, at the reasons
Skepticism towards the established media, also known as mainstream media, has increased in recent years. This trend can be observed worldwide and has led to a change in media consumption and information dissemination.
- Loss of trust
One of the main reasons for skepticism towards the established media is the loss of trust in its objectivity and impartiality. Many people believe that journalists and news organizations have their own political or economic interests and influence their reporting accordingly. This distrust is exacerbated by scandals, misinformation and sensationalist journalism.
- The role of social media
Social media has changed the way people consume and distribute information. They provide a platform for alternative voices and enable users to obtain information independently of traditional news sources. This leaves established media outlets in direct competition with influencers, bloggers and self-proclaimed experts, who often apply less rigorous journalistic standards and present a wider range of opinions.
- Message personalization
Another factor contributing to skepticism toward mainstream media is the increasing personalization of news. Because of algorithms based on users' individual interests and preferences, people often receive news that matches their own beliefs and biases. This can lead to them finding themselves in a filter bubble and losing trust in objective reporting.
- Political polarization
Political polarization has increased in many countries and is also affecting trust in the media. People tend to trust media that reflects their own political views and view news organizations that express opposing views as biased or unreliable. This leads to a fragmentation of the media landscape and increases skepticism towards the established media.
Conclusion: Skepticism toward mainstream media is the result of a variety of factors, including loss of trust, the influence of social media, personalization of news, and political polarization. To restore trust in the media, it is important that news organizations promote transparency and integrity in their reporting and strive to present the facts in a balanced and objective manner. This is the only way to restore trust in the media and reduce skepticism towards the established media.
If you enjoyed this post and value the importance of well-founded information, become part of the exclusive Mimikama Club! Support our work and help us promote awareness and combat misinformation. As a club member you receive:
📬 Special Weekly Newsletter: Get exclusive content straight to your inbox.
🎥 Exclusive video* “Fact Checker Basic Course”: Learn from Andre Wolf how to recognize and combat misinformation.
📅 Early access to in-depth articles and fact checks: always be one step ahead.
📄 Bonus articles, just for you: Discover content you won't find anywhere else.
📝 Participation in webinars and workshops : Join us live or watch the recordings.
✔️ Quality exchange: Discuss safely in our comment function without trolls and bots.
Join us and become part of a community that stands for truth and clarity. Together we can make the world a little better!
* In this special course, Andre Wolf will teach you how to recognize and effectively combat misinformation. After completing the video, you have the opportunity to join our research team and actively participate in the education - an opportunity that is exclusively reserved for our club members!
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

