We’re a dubious lot. We don’t trust politicians, naturally. Public servants, of course. Unions, unsurprisingly, given recent events. Mainstream media grows more unpopular by the day. But our deep-seated scepticism goes well beyond that.
According to a series of polls by Essential Research, the level of trust we hold in other institutions is eroding. We trust the High Court and the Reserve Bank much less than we did. Even charities, churches and environmental groups. As Bernard Keane writes today:
“The reasons for Parliament and trade unions falling in trust are clear; it’s less clear why they’ve dragged other, independent governmental institutions down with them, or the latter have declined as part of a wider malaise in attitudes.”
A public should question its institutions. But this strain of cynicism seems particularly virulent. Perhaps, particularly in politics, incurable. The way that poisons public debate and policy development is all too apparent at the moment.
Still, at least there’s dear old Aunty. Trust in the national broadcaster only grows stronger. Perhaps it can report on why we hate everything else.
There is a direct inverse correlation between public trust in institutions and the rise of PR/spin doctors/media advisers etc. in said institutions.
@Mark: yes, but which is the cause, and which is the effect?
Hope you’ve included yourselves in the circle of mistrust Crikey…
@Mike, I see the spinners and flacks very much as a big part of the cause. So much of what they produce (or tell their bosses to say) is manifestly not genuine, and the public can smell it.
One reason for not trusting someone is that they keep lying and deceiving you.