media distrust
Doubting the press
Media distrust is skepticism or lack of confidence in news organizations and journalists—the belief that mainstream media sources are biased, inaccurate, or agenda-driven.
The term gained currency in the early 21st century as political polarization intensified: Media distrust has reached historic highs.
It may reflect genuine concerns about accuracy or be weaponized to dismiss unfavorable coverage.
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
- fake newsIntentionally deceptive media content
- propagandaBiased information for influence
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
conspiracy · mainstream · clickbait · agenda · spin · manipulation · both sides · credibility · journalism · yellow journalism · polarization · echo chamber · censorship · narrative · anonymous sources · tabloid · sensationalism · fact-check
- denialismclimate denial, Holocaust denial, vaccine denial, denialism, anti-science
- media literacyfact checking, news literacy, critical thinking, information literacy, credibility
- populismpopulism, demagogue, demagoguery, anti-elitism, anti-establishment
- anti-vaccineanti-vax, anti-vaxxer, anti-vaxxers, vaccine refusal, vaccine hesitancy