Public opinion and institutional trust in Europe: The contradictory role of the media in the digital age

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyze the relationship between trust in the me-dia—both traditional and digital—and trust in institutions. Using data from the 2016 Eurobarometer and statistical models such as Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and multilevel regression, the study exa-mines how media trust and usage relate to institutional trust, controlling for sociode-mographic variables. The findings confirm that trust in traditional media (print, radio, and television) is associated with higher levels of institutional trust. In contrast, trust in digital media (social networks sites and online platforms) shows a weaker and sometimes negative correlation. This dynamic may stem from the coexistence of credible journalism, disinformation, and echo chambers in a networked communication context, reflecting the complexities of a hybrid media system that can erode institu-tional trust. Recognizing the interplay between media types, the study underscores the importance of media literacy and regulatory frameworks for digital platforms to foster trust in democratic institutions.