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Summary - The Crisis of Trust: Organizations under public scrutiny. (Y)
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Lecture 1: Conceptualization of (Crisis of) Trust - ComprehensiveSummary
Introduction
This lecture, introduces the concept of trust and explores the current crisis of trust affecting
various societal and organizational levels. The lecture covers the interplay between media,
misinformation, and public perception, and discusses the implications of these dynamics for
organizations and society.
Key Themes and Topics
1. Introduction to Trust and Distrust
○ Definition of Trust: Trust involves three elements - a truster, a trustee, and
an expected behavior.
○ Importance of Trust:
■ Trust is essential for social relationships and economic processes.
■ It is necessary for a functioning civil society and democracy.
■ Trust in media is crucial for informed citizenry and political trust.
2. Crisis of Trust (Flew, 2019)
○ General Crisis of Trust: There is a widespread decline in trust affecting
various institutions.
○ Populism and Trust:
■ The rise of populism is linked to declining trust in traditional media and
institutions.
■ Factors include the role of media in politics, the spread of fake news,
platformization of the internet, and declining institutional trust.
○ Impact of Digital Communication:
■ Digital platforms and social media have disrupted traditional trust
dynamics, contributing to the crisis.
■ Misinformation spreads easily on these platforms, further eroding
trust.
3. Alarmed Citizens (Thorbjørnsrud & Figenschou, 2022)
○ Characteristics of Alarmed Citizens:
■ Low trust in traditional media and institutions.
■ High alertness and fear, leading to active scrutiny of institutions.
■ Reliance on alternative media sources, which may be hyper-partisan
and less credible.
○ Media's Role in Democracy:
■ Media are essential for informing citizens and maintaining political
trust.
■ However, dependence on media also increases the risk of
misinformation and manipulation.
4. Misinformation as a Context (Altay et al., 2023)
○ Challenges of Misinformation:
1
, ■ Misinformation exacerbates the crisis of trust by spreading false or
misleading information.
■ Fear of misinformation contributes to a general climate of distrust.
○ Key Incidents:
■ Examples like Pizzagate and the storming of the Capitol highlight the
disruptive impact of misinformation.
○ Misconceptions about Misinformation:
■ People do not believe everything they see on the internet; they tend to
accept misinformation that aligns with their beliefs.
■ Measuring the impact of misinformation is challenging due to survey
design flaws and diverse interaction reasons.
Concluding Remarks
● The concept of trust is complex and multifaceted.
● The current climate of distrust challenges the functioning of organizations and
societal systems.
● Strategic communication is vital for organizations to navigate this environment and
build trust.
● This article delves into the complexities of studying misinformation, discussing the
challenges in conceptualizing and measuring its impact.
● It examines common misconceptions about misinformation and their implications.
○ , or signaling group membership.
○ Sharing or liking misinformation does not necessarily equate to believing it.
Detailed Explanation of Each Article
1. Thorbjørnsrud, K., & Figenschou, T. U. (2022). The Alarmed Citizen: Fear, Mistrust,
and Alternative Media
Context and Focus:
● This article investigates the role of alternative media in the growing mistrust among
citizens towards traditional media and institutions.
● It aims to understand how alternative media influences public perceptions,
heightening fear and mistrust.
Key Concepts and Findings:
1. Alarmed Citizens:
○ Defined as individuals who have low trust in traditional media and institutions.
○ These citizens are characterized by high levels of alertness and fear, leading
them to be more critical and scrutinizing of established authorities.
2. Role of Alternative Media:
○ Alternative media sources cater to the fears and mistrust of alarmed citizens
by offering narratives that challenge mainstream media and institutional
perspectives.
2
, ○ These media sources often highlight issues that resonate with the concerns of
alarmed citizens, reinforcing their distrust of traditional sources.
3. Media's Democratic Role:
○ Media is crucial in democratic societies for keeping citizens informed and
fostering political trust.
○ However, this dependency on media also poses a risk as misinformation and
biased reporting can mislead the public, exacerbating distrust.
4. Impact on Trust:
○ The rise of alternative media contributes to the erosion of trust in traditional
news sources and institutions.
○ Established media's role as an authoritative source is challenged, leading to a
fragmented information landscape where alternative narratives thrive.
5. Societal Implications:
○ Increased reliance on alternative media leads to societal polarization, as
citizens are exposed to divergent and often conflicting information.
○ This shift results in a more critical and cynical public, questioning the
legitimacy of traditional institutions.
Significance:
● The article underscores the importance of understanding the dynamics between
alternative media and public trust.
● It highlights the challenges traditional media face in maintaining their role as credible
information sources in the digital age.
2. Flew, T. (2019). Digital Communication, the Crisis of Trust, and the Post-global
Context and Focus:
● This article explores the crisis of trust in the context of digital communication and
globalization.
● It examines how digital technologies and media have contributed to the rise of
populism and the decline in institutional trust.
Key Concepts and Findings:
1. Crisis of Trust:
○ A widespread decline in trust affects various institutions, including media,
political systems, and organizations.
○ This decline is driven by several factors, including changes in media
consumption and the rise of digital platforms.
2. Populism and Media:
○ The rise of populism is closely linked to the changing media landscape, where
traditional media's role has been disrupted by digital communication.
3
, ○ Populist movements leverage the distrust in traditional media and institutions
to gain support.
3. Fake News:
○ The spread of fake news is a significant factor in the crisis of trust, as it
undermines the credibility of information sources.
○ Social media platforms play a crucial role in the dissemination of fake news,
amplifying its reach and impact.
4. Platformisation:
○ The dominance of digital platforms (e.g., social media) has led to a
monopolization of information flow.
○ These platforms facilitate the spread of partisan and skeptical news sources,
contributing to the fragmentation of public trust.
5. Decline in Institutional Trust:
○ Public opinion data shows a significant decline in trust in institutions,
especially in Western democracies.
○ This decline creates a "spiral of distrust," where reduced trust in digital
platforms further exacerbates the overall crisis of trust.
6. Post-global Populism:
○ The interplay between globalization, economic disparities, and nationalistic
sentiments has led to a new era of populist politics.
○ This era is characterized by deep mistrust of traditional institutions and media,
driven by dissatisfaction with the effects of globalization.
Significance:
● The article provides a comprehensive analysis of how digital communication
technologies have reshaped trust dynamics.
● It offers insights into the factors contributing to the rise of populism and the broader
crisis of trust in modern societies.
3. Altay, S., Berriche, M., & Acerbi, A. (2023). Misinformation on Misinformation:
Conceptual and Methodological Challenges
Context and Focus:
● This article delves into the complexities of studying misinformation, highlighting the
challenges in defining and measuring its impact.
● It addresses common misconceptions about misinformation and explores the
reasons behind its spread and influence.
Key Concepts and Findings:
1. Conceptual Challenges:
○ Misinformation is a multifaceted phenomenon that is difficult to define and
study comprehensively.
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