Media Use and Societal Perceptions: The Dual Role of Media Trust

How citizens’ perceptions of societal problems are shaped by media use has been a critical question in effects research for decades. This study addresses specific puzzle concerning contemporary fragmented environments: the dual role trust as both (a) an antecedent variable guiding news selection and (b) moderator conditioning on problems. Building upon differential susceptibility to model, we analyze orientation towards mainstream alternative media—and how such usage influences two major issues: health care school. Findings from four-wave panel survey conducted Sweden suggest that public service matter choices may, partly, condition effects.