Exploring Attitudes Toward Discrimination: The Role of News Media Consumption, News Media Trust, Discriminatory Experiences, and Intergroup Contact

In recent years, discrimination has become an increasingly important topic in public debates. However, limited research has looked at the role of media consumption and trust in shaping attitudes toward discrimination across various grounds, such as gender, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, age, and appearance. The purpose of the current study is to analyze the extent to which news media consumption is related to the perceived acceptability of discrimination among Belgian adults (N = 3,000). We examine news media trust, intergroup contact, and discriminatory experiences as moderators. The findings indicate that viewing public television is linked to lower acceptance of discrimination. News media trust moderates only the effect of television consumption on attitudes toward discrimination. Additionally, intergroup contact correlates with reduced acceptance of discrimination, while discrimination experiences are associated with higher acceptance of discrimination. Their moderating role varies based on the medium and the specific discrimination ground. This study underscores the critical need to cultivate a media environment that promotes trust in quality journalism and facilitates engagement with diverse social groups.