On the other hand, it is important to remember that most people do not pay for news, but are happy with what is available for free. 40% in the US and 50% in the UK even say that “nothing will convince them to pay”. As publishers try to navigate the recession, they must therefore have realistic expectations about reader revenue. But in the long term, reader revenue will clearly be at the heart of new media business models.
3 Post-pandemic, will the media be better equipped to regain public trust?
Confidence on the rise during the crisis
While the pandemic has devastated media revenues, it has also given them an opportunity to prove their usefulness and value. According to surveys in January 2020, levels of trust in the media were at an all-time low. Across all countries, only 38% (-4 compared to 2019) say they can trust the news most of the time. Less than half of people (46%) say they trust the news they watch.
Source: Reuters Institute
However, polls conducted in April found that 60% of respondents believe that the media has done a good job of helping the public understand the crisis . Trust in the media for Covid-19 information was more than twice as high as that placed on social media, video platforms or messaging (four in ten believe that information from these sources is not bank data trustworthy).
Source: Reuters Institute
However, it is difficult to predict the long-term effects of this increase in trust. According to the Reuters Institute, this "aura of trust" towards the media could quickly disappear, especially when we start to discuss the "world after".
If media outlets want to build on the trust gained during the pandemic, they must respond to readers' concerns in a relevant way.
The majority (69%) consider climate change to be a serious problem . 47% of people say the news media provides accurate information on climate, but they are also criticized for coverage that is not bold enough, too negative or influenced by hidden agendas.
The majority of the public (60%) also prefers objective information without a specific point of view. However, respondents in the United States, France and Brazil have more “partisan” preferences.