In Australia, the trust gap between the informed public and the mass public is the world’s largest, 23% (Edelman Trust Barometer 2020). If this continues,greater polarisation and disengagement from the public sphere will result.
This pilot project will test a unique media research technique that sees audiences and journalists examine pieces of reportage together. This engenders a relationship of trust on both sides while providing the journalist with diverse perspectives and learnings they can incorporate into their practice. Meanwhile, researchers gain a greater understanding of the linked socio-political drivers behind distrust, news avoidance, polarisation and fake news.
This research employs semi-structured interviews as the key research method,with discourse and frame analysis as the key research approach. Specifically, it employs a technique called the ‘Frame Reflection Interview’. This technique was first developed as part of Chrisanthi Giotis' PhD and, in 2019, further piloted through her work at the Centre for Media Transition with industry partner,The Australian Financial Review.
Dr Chrisanthi Giotis is the winner of the 2020 Journalism Education and Research Association of Australia Research Grant, receiving $6,000 towards this project.