Examining News Media Use and Trust in Public Institutions in Kenya: The Moderating Role of Perceived Corruption and Political Freedom

Much empirical research has examined the nexus between trust in public institutions and media use, but most of which is Western-centric. We steer off this lane using Afrobarometer survey data (N = 2,400) to examine this phenomenon in Kenya. Hierarchical regression analysis shows that the perceived corruption in Kenyan institutions statistically stifled the theoretical perception of a positive relationship between trust in institutions and media usage. Specifically, radio surfaced as a vital player in cultivating trust in public institutions, especially when perceived corruption is low. Moreover, perceived political freedom interacts with radio use in shaping trust, indicating a dynamic relationship between institutional inquiry, media consumption for news, and democratic procedures in Kenya. We discuss the implications of these findings and offer areas for further research.