Good news for the media landscape: Public trust in German media is increasing. That’s the key finding of a recent, representative survey conducted by Infratest dimap on behalf of Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR). The results offer interesting insights into media consumption habits and how people perceive the credibility of journalistic content.
61% of respondents rated German media coverage overall as credible—an increase of five percentage points compared to the previous year. Public broadcasters and daily newspapers continue to earn the highest levels of trust, with stable or even rising approval ratings.
Public broadcasters remain the top source for political news
When it comes to political information, most people still turn to public television: 32% named it as their primary source. Daily newspapers (12%) and social media (10%) follow at a significant distance. Two-thirds of those surveyed view public broadcasting as essential overall.
Trust varies by region, age, and political orientation
The study also reveals significant regional and demographic differences in media trust. In western Germany, 58% consider public broadcasters credible, while in the east, that number drops to 41%. Education plays a role too—those with higher education levels tend to place more trust in the media.
Trust is particularly high among supporters of the Greens (92%), CDU/CSU (78%), and SPD (76%). In contrast, there’s noticeable skepticism among AfD voters (10%) and those supporting the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (16%).
Conclusion: Rising trust despite polarization
The study shows a positive overall trend in trust toward German media. At the same time, the differences between population groups remain stark. Media trust continues to be a sensitive barometer of public sentiment—and a clear mandate for journalistic quality and transparency.
