Digital News Media and Citizen Trust: An Analysis of Credibility Indicators in Social Media Content Yeni Kartika
University of Bengkulu
Abstract
Public trust poses a significant challenge for digital news media amidst the rising flow of information and disinformation on social media. In this context, information credibility is a crucial factor influencing public trust in the media. This study aims to analyze how credibility indicators are constructed within public policy content published on the Instagram account of Detik.com, one of Indonesia^s leading digital news outlets. The research focuses on public policy content uploaded between April and June 2026.
A qualitative approach utilizing qualitative content analysis is employed. The data consists of public policy content posts from Detik.com^s Instagram account, selected purposively to align with the research focus. Analysis involves identifying and interpreting credibility indicators present in the content, such as the clarity of information sources, the use of data and facts, information balance, transparency in news presentation, and information verification practices. Through this approach, the study seeks to understand how digital news media construct credible narratives within the social media landscape as part of a communication strategy to gain the trust of social media-consuming audiences.
This research is expected to contribute to the fields of digital media studies, digital journalism, and strategic communication, particularly in understanding the relationship between content credibility and efforts to build public trust in the digital era. The findings are also intended to provide insights for digital news media managers on developing more credible, transparent, and responsible communication practices on social media to maintain public trust.
Keywords: digital news media, citizen trust, media credibility, social media, Instagram.
Topic: Strategic Communication in the Digital Sphere: Cultivating Civic Trust through Data-Driven Approaches (Digital Communication- Public Communication Strategy- Civic Trust)
