Die journalistische Darstellung von Vertrauen, Misstrauen und Vertrauensproblemen im Kontext der Digitalisierung

Trust, distrust and trust issues are often objects of journalistic coverage. However, little is known about the journalistic depiction of the three dimensions of trust. Using a longitudinal analysis, this study is the first to provide a comprehensive and systematic investigation into their depiction, with digitalisation serving as an exemplary context. Based on an interdisciplinary approach to the dimensions of trust as well as the concept of framing, the study develops the concept of trust dimension frames deductively and applies it empirically in order to gain a deeper insight into the actors, causes, evaluations and recommended courses of action connected with the dimensions of trust. A quantitative content analysis of 2091 news reports from five German media outlets shows that the depiction of trust, distrust and trust issues is a common but complex phenomenon. Depending on the dimension of trust highlighted and the issue framed, the frames reveal different trends with regard to their content.