Information Environment, Media Use, and Political Trust

This paper examines the relationship between the information environment, media use, and political trust, presenting findings from a comprehensive cross-country analysis of European Union societies. Using data from the TRUEDEM cross-country survey and expert datasets (Freedom House, V-Dem), the study evaluates how the openness of information flows—proxied by measures of freedom of expression and media pluralism—mediates political trust and influences trust-building dynamics. The analysis focuses on the interplay between media environments and patterns of trust in political institutions. Open information societies, characterized by media pluralism, transparency, and accountability mechanisms, promote informed and critical engagement, fostering rational skeptical trust. Conversely, restrictive information environments, marked by limited press freedom and controlled narratives, are associated with credulous trust or deep mistrust. These dynamics highlight how the quality and accessibility of information shape public perceptions of political trustworthiness and institutional legitimacy. The paper also examines concerning trends of democratic backsliding in EU member states, such as Hungary and Poland, where increasing restrictions on freedom of expression, state influence over media, and harassment of independent journalists have weakened media independence and trust in democratic institutions. By integrating survey and expert data, this study provides a comparative overview of media use patterns and information environments across EU countries. The findings underscore the pivotal role of a free and pluralistic media in shaping trust in democratic governance and addressing the challenges posed by restricted information flows.