인터넷신문 이용과 심각성 인식이 국내 언론과 한국 사회의 신뢰도에 미치는 영향

초록

Online newspapers in South Korea have experienced rapid quantitative growth alongside the expansion of portal-based news services in the digital media market. Despite their central role in shaping online news consumption, academic research has relatively overlooked this sector. Concerns surrounding problematic article types― including misinformation articles, sensational/sensationalist articles, and conflict/biased articles―have contributed to declining trustworthiness in online newspapers. Additionally, although online newspapers operate under a system of self-regulation, users often perceive these mechanisms as insufficient or ineffective, raising questions about broader evaluations of Korean news media and Korean society. This study examined the factors influencing trustworthiness in online newspapers and analyzed how users’ trustworthiness in online newspapers affects trustworthiness in Korean news media and trustworthiness in Korean society. Special attention was given to problematic article type severity and attitudes toward self-regulation, along with online newspaper usage and involvement. An online survey was conducted with 300 adult online newspaper users aged 20 to 60. Hierarchical regression analysis using SPSS 25.0 indicated that online newspaper usage and involvement were positively associated with trustworthiness in online newspapers. Although users generally showed low attitudes toward self-regulation of online newspapers, this variable had a positively influence on trustworthiness. Users perceived the severity of problematic article types as high overall. Notably, higher perceived severity of misinformation articles and conflict/biased articles significantly lowered trustworthiness in online newspapers, whereas the perceived severity of sensational/sensationalist articles did not show a significant effect. A partial mediating effect was found in the relationships between online newspaper trustworthiness and Korean news media trustworthiness, as well as Korean societal trustworthiness. Low trustworthiness in online newspapers negatively affected trustworthiness in Korean news media, which subsequently reduced trustworthiness in Korean society. Trustworthiness in online newspapers also exerted a direct negative influence on trustworthiness in Korean society, indicating a downward spillover effect. These findings emphasize the need to improve the trustworthiness of online newspapers by addressing problematic article types and strengthening self-regulatory systems beyond simple recommendations. Enhancing the credibility of online newspapers can contribute to restoring trustworthiness in the Korean news media as a whole and in Korean society. The results suggest broader implications for understanding how sector-specific media trustworthiness shapes public evaluations of societal institutions.

키워드