As Europe Confronts Coronavirus, the Media Faces a Trust Test

One way to think about the coronavirus pandemic is as a large-scale process of sorting out what is essential. That is true on a personal level, but it’s also true for governments, many of which are making painful choices over what activities should be shut down to make social distancing efforts effective while guaranteeing people access to essential goods.

Media are going through a similar process. What are the essential values for journalism in a moment when reliable information is decisive but the prospects for the already battered news industry look grim, if not apocalyptic?

Trust is most essential. Without it, even a stable media industry doesn’t matter because people won’t believe it.

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