Newspaper Credibility and Relationships of Newspaper Journalists to Communities

• Published in: Journalism & mass communication quarterly 1987-07, Vol.64 (2-3), p.317-345
• Main Authors: Gaziano, Cecilie, McGrath, Kristin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Credibility; United States of America
• ISSN: 1077-6990; 0196-3031; 2161-430X
• DOI: 10.1177/107769908706400205

An exploration of how newspaper journalists' demographic & attitudinal characteristics serve to maintain a distance between them & their readers, a distance that may, in turn, directly affect the public's perceptions of newspaper credibility. A sample of top editors & journalists (N = 867) from 51 medium- & large-sized US daily newspapers completed questionnaires concerning demographics, community involvement & attachment, social contacts, communication with news sources & readers, professional links, media attitudes, & newspaper characteristics. A distinction was revealed between "younger transient" & "older native" journalists. It is concluded that younger transients may contribute disproportionately to problems of newspaper credibility because of their greater attitudinal & demographic differences from the general US public, & their sense of distance from the community. This is not necessarily dysfunctional, however, since too many similarities between journalists & their public could adversely affect reportorial objectivity. The press must address the issue of what constitutes optimal distance; suggestions for further research on media credibility influences are provided. 6 Tables. K. Hyatt