Only half of the Austrian population trusts correct and fair reporting of domestic politics by the news media. Confidence is greatest in the field of sports. The demands placed on the media are high and trust in journalists has increased somewhat.
A strong confidence inhibitor is the fear of many survey participants that the news media is dependent on politicians, advertising clients and lobby groups.
Confidence in correct, honest and objective reporting is greatest in the field of sports (79 percent very or somewhat high). Regional (74 percent) and cultural reporting (72 percent) are also performing well. However, only just over half of respondents (56 percent) believe that climate and the environment are reported accurately. Trust in news is only lower when it comes to consumer rights (55 percent) and domestic politics (51 percent).
This is evident from data* presented on Monday by the Gallup Institute and Medienhaus Vienna. Respondents who had an affinity with the FPÖ were particularly skeptical. Only a quarter of this group has very or somewhat confidence in reporting on domestic policy. For all other affinities with parliamentary parties, the confidence of the survey participants is over 70 percent.
A major obstacle is confidence in independence
Only 33 percent strongly or somewhat agree that public media such as the ORF operate independently of the interests of the political parties. With regard to private media, 44 percent agree.
Media for democracy “very important”
Overall, survey participants overwhelmingly view independent and critical news media as “very important” (77 percent) or “somewhat important” (18 percent) for democracy. But only 58 percent of survey participants believe that Austrian news media make a very large (19 percent) or quite large (39 percent) contribution to democracy.
Respondents find it especially important that a news medium is credible (95 percent very or somewhat important) and neutral or objective reporting (93 percent).
Half of those surveyed receive information from the media every day
When it comes to news use and frequency, it can be said that about half of respondents use the media several times a day to stay informed about current events. Another quarter does this once a day. Nine percent of survey participants said they very often don’t want to read, hear or watch the news. Another 15 percent said they avoided news “often,” and 50 percent “occasionally.” The reasons given by respondents included the abundance of negative news that would have a negative effect on psychological well-being.
Convinced voters in particular – that is, 60 percent of respondents – check the news situation several times a day (61 percent), while this happens much less often among convinced non-voters – that is seven percent (15 percent).
68 percent trust journalists
Attitudes towards journalists have changed somewhat for the better. In June 2023, 62 percent of respondents had a very positive or somewhat positive view of them; in November 2023 it was 68 percent.
*The survey is representative of the web-active Austrian population aged 16 years and older. It was conducted in November 2023 and 1,000 people were surveyed. A new wave of surveys with 1,000 participants took place in June 2023.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
