Management Summary Research Study “The Rule of Law Predicts Trust in Journalists”

Why do people trust, or distrust, journalists? This study looks for answers in how societies are governed and how well their institutions function. The authors analyze responses from approximately 234,000 people across 135 countries (Wellcome Global Monitor surveys, 2018 and 2020), examining whether factors such as the rule of law, government size, freedom of expression, or political polarization predict trust in journalists. The central finding is that the stronger the rule of law, meaning the fairer and more consistently laws are enforced, the more people trust journalists. This holds regardless of a country’s income level, educational profile, or political system. Government size and the market orientation of economic policy show no association with journalistic trust, while political polarization consistently erodes it. The practical implication is that for those seeking to protect public trust in journalism and build societal resilience against disinformation, strengthening legal institutions, such as independent courts, effective law enforcement, and anti-corruption efforts, is a promising way forward.

Target groups of stakeholders: Journalists, media organizations, policymakers and public administrators, media regulatory bodies, and civil society organizations working on press freedom and disinformation.

Citation: Berggren, N., Bjørnskov, C., & Sandström, A. (2026). The rule of law predicts trust in journalists. Journal of Law and Economics, 69(2), 361–385. https://doi.org/10.1086/738360

Source: https://doi.org/10.1086/738360