1 Abstract

This contribution explores the how and why of trust in PBS. After this introduction, we sketch the constitutive characteristics of PBS. Next, we theoretically explore the notion of trust in general and with regards to media in particular, resulting in a set of more specific research questions. Subsequently, we discuss the methodological set up. We explored US audiences’ trust in PBS by means of a survey questionnaire. Next, we discuss the results, focusing on institutional aspects, on characteristics of the offerings and performance of PBS and on the role of long-standing relationships between PBS and its audiences. Finally, we discuss the implications of our understanding of what constitutes trust in PBS for the institution and for government policy towards PBS in an age of distrust in media and society.

2 Paper 1: Trust in PBS

Dependent variables - Trust in public institutions including PBS - Value for taxpayers money - Aspects of PBS that contribute to trust (arts&ed, public funding….) - Variables detailing what PSB news, kids, arts and entertainment are considered good at - Open questions Independent variables - age, political orientation, income, race/ethnicity, other media use

2.1 How and in what ways is trust in PBS based in its institutional / structural characteristics (funding, independence)

2.2 How and in what ways is trust in PBS based on processed-based, historical viewing habits?

2.3 How and in what ways is trust in PBS based on its programmatic and content-based decisions?

3 Paper 2: Role of PBS in trust in news in post-truth era

Dependent variables: - Why do you trust PBS: position of national and local news in reasons to trust PBS - Open ended questions: role of news in why people trust PBS - How much do you trust PBS (news) - comparing with trust in other news outlets - What characteristics of PBS news (thoroughness, distinctiveness..) contribute to that trust

Independent variables - age, political orientation, income, race/ethnicity, other media use

Trust in PBS

Christopher Ali, Hilde Van den Bulck, Jonathan Kropko

2023-09-08

1 Abstract

2 Paper 1: Trust in PBS

2.1 How and in what ways is trust in PBS based in its institutional / structural characteristics (funding, independence)

2.2 How and in what ways is trust in PBS based on processed-based, historical viewing habits?

2.3 How and in what ways is trust in PBS based on its programmatic and content-based decisions?

3 Paper 2: Role of PBS in trust in news in post-truth era

3.1 What is the position of news in the overall trust of PBS

3.2 What is said about news in the open questions – news is biggest category

3.3 How does trust in PBS news compare with trust of other mainstream news organizations

3.4 What aspects of pbs news are most trusted by those who watch

3.5 How do these things differ according to age, political orientation, income, race/ethnicity, other media use

Trust in PBS

Christopher Ali, Hilde Van den Bulck, Jonathan Kropko

2023-09-08

1 Abstract

2 Paper 1: Trust in PBS

2.1 How and in what ways is trust in PBS based in its institutional / structural characteristics (funding, independence)

2.2 How and in what ways is trust in PBS based on processed-based, historical viewing habits?

2.3 How and in what ways is trust in PBS based on its programmatic and content-based decisions?

2.4 How is trust in PBS related to political affiliations, to media use and attitudes and to wider SES?

3 Paper 2: Role of PBS in trust in news in post-truth era

3.1 What is the position of news in the overall trust of PBS

3.2 What is said about news in the open questions – news is biggest category

3.3 How does trust in PBS news compare with trust of other mainstream news organizations

3.4 What aspects of pbs news are most trusted by those who watch

3.5 How do these things differ according to age, political orientation, income, race/ethnicity, other media use