Believing in a political media dictate is associated with Covid-19-related beliefs, media usage, and health behaviors

A substantial number of citizens in democratic countries believe in a political media dictate, the false assumption that governments decide what mainstream and flagship journalistic outlets may report or not. Two survey studies using national German samples (N= 590 and N = 1067) revealed that more than one third of the adult population believes in a political media dictate. The studies explored cognitive and metacognitive underpinnings of how this belief is related to other beliefs (true and false statements about Covid-19), the confidence that beliefs are held with, and the insights into the accuracy of one’s beliefs. Moreover, relations between belief in a media dictate and behaviors (media consumption, compliance with Covid-19 measures, vaccination intentions) were investigated. Results revealed that those who believe in a media dictate are not a homogeneous group, but may be comprised of two sub-groups: one that is characterized by deep-seated distrust against institutions (often fueled by alternative media consumption) and has developed interrelated beliefs in an “alternative reality” of misinformed beliefs; and one that is characterized by ignorance and lack of interest in political affairs. This has implications for how to target these sub-groups in political and science communication.