The Polarizing Effects of Information Environment and Media Use for Political Trust

This paper examines the relationship between the information environment, media use, and political trust, presenting findings from a comprehensive cross-country analysis of 24 European societies. Using data from the TRUEDEM cross-country survey (July 2025) and expert datasets (Freedom House, V-Dem), the study evaluates how the openness of information flows—proxied by measures of freedom of expression and media pluralism— mediates political trust and influences trust-building dynamics. The analysis focuses on the interplay between media environments and patterns of trust in political institutions. Open information societies, characterized by media pluralism, transparency, and accountability mechanisms, promote informed and critical engagement, fostering rational skeptical trust. Conversely, restrictive information environments, marked by limited press freedom and controlled narratives, are associated with credulous trust or deep mistrust. These contrasting dynamics contribute to growing polarization in political trust, as citizens in different information environments diverge in their assessments of institutional performance and legitimacy. The paper also examines concerning trends of democratic backsliding in EU member states, such as Hungary and Poland, where increasing restrictions on freedom of expression, state influence over media, and harassment of independent journalists have weakened media independence and trust in democratic institutions, further deepening political polarization. By integrating survey and expert data, this study provides a comparative overview of media use patterns and information environments across EU countries. The findings underscore the important role of a free and pluralistic media in shaping trust in democratic governance and in mitigating the polarizing effects of restricted information flows.