Attitudes Toward Reporting

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How Personal Experience Shapes Understanding and Trust in Journalism

Personal experience with journalism plays a crucial role in shaping an individual's understanding of news processes and concepts. Whether someone has been covered or interviewed in the news, or has received some formal education in journalism, these experiences significantly influence how they perceive and trust the media.

One of the most impactful ways individuals engage with journalism is through educational settings. Whether taking a journalism course or participating in student-run media, these experiences provide foundational knowledge about the workings of the media. According to data from a study by the Media Insight Project, about a quarter of people have participated in a school publication, while only 16% have taken a class on media or news literacy. These educational experiences help individuals become more familiar with journalistic terms and concepts. For example, those who have taken a class on media literacy are more likely to understand how journalists use anonymous sources compared to those without such education (65% vs. 57%).

Interestingly, the study shows that individuals with educational experience in journalism are generally more familiar with various journalistic terms and concepts. For example, people who participated in school media or took a journalism class are more likely to understand the difference between a news story and a press release, or between an editorial and a news story. This familiarity extends to the ability to differentiate between opinion and news content, which is crucial in today’s media landscape where these boundaries can sometimes blur.

However, the study also highlights that educational experience does not necessarily correlate with higher trust in the media or a more favorable view of its direction. Even those who have engaged with journalism through education share similar levels of skepticism about the media's trajectory as those without such experience. This suggests that while education may enhance understanding, it does not necessarily lead to increased trust in media institutions.

Beyond educational experiences, personal interactions with journalism—such as being interviewed or having firsthand knowledge of a news story—also shape people's views. The study found that most people's direct experience with the news comes from being consumers rather than creators of content. For instance, nearly three-quarters of the public have encountered journalism about a topic they are knowledgeable about, such as their town or hobby. Additionally, 60% have witnessed or experienced something that was later covered by a news organization.

These personal interactions with journalism generally leave people with a positive impression. Among those who have been interviewed by a journalist, nearly a third felt that the reporting was entirely accurate, and 81% believed the reporting was unbiased and fair. This suggests that when individuals have direct involvement in news coverage, they tend to view the reporting more favorably, likely because they have a clearer understanding of the context and nuances of the story.

In conclusion, personal experience with journalism, whether through education or direct interaction, significantly influences how individuals understand and trust the media. While educational experiences enhance familiarity with journalistic concepts, they do not necessarily increase trust in the media. Direct interactions, on the other hand, often result in a more positive view of news coverage. These findings highlight the importance of media literacy education and the value of direct engagement with journalism in fostering a more informed and critical public.

Source: How does personal experience with news affect a person's views? - American Press Institute