Is the Age of Impartial Journalism Over? The Neutrality Principle and Audience (Dis)trust in Mainstream News

This exploratory study addresses the relationship between audience trust in news media and ideal of neutrality journalism. It starts from premise that, at a time when national conservatism is on rise as political movement Western societies, journalism less recognised neutral actor politics. Therefore, efforts to present itself such may be damaging journalism’s credibility trustworthiness among its publics. The article examines this basis representative survey Finnish audiences three focus group interviews, asking how Finns’ expressed or distrust mainstream connected their perceptions about impartiality—or lack thereof—in debate. findings indicate that while large majority express media, they are divided it comes level confidence neutrality. Moreover, both strongly associated with audiences’ outlook. We conclude mainly reflects difficulties faces giving an equal voice all groups views heightened ideological contestation.