“Verification is the first unconscious reaction of an individual when faced with an event or news. Even a child, who lives solely based on instinct and unreliable bits of learning, turns to their parents for verification to determine the accuracy of a position. In the modern world, media has to a large extent replaced parents in verifying news for individuals. Media can either gain the trust of people or lose its audience at this point. One of the issues for Iranian media is how to cover tragic events, which in recent years has caused a decline in public trust and a decrease in the audience of official media outlets. The truth is that people follow media for accurate and real news, and when it becomes clear that news is being channeled, the audience loses trust. In some cases, the way news is reflected and the appropriate timing of broadcasting news during sensitive times can lead to either disappointment or trust in the audience. Media, with the knowledge that the accuracy and method of information dissemination directly affects the audience, can

The monthly report of the Center for Research of the Islamic Consultative Assembly believes that, among the examples of laws that have not been implemented in the field of information circulation in Iran, is the creation of a trusted reference and non-transparent media. This issue was approved by the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution in November 2019, according to which: “Creating a trusted reference and non-transparent media, both in the national media space and in social media, is an undeniable necessity in the face of widespread natural crises such as floods, earthquakes, and infectious viruses.” (1) According to the Center for Research of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, the coronavirus was one of the events whose news was not explicitly and accurately published. Therefore, in the Strategic Policies for Media in Natural Crisis Situations such as the coronavirus, the need for continuous information dissemination has been emphasized and stated as follows: “Not delaying the announcement of crisis-related news under the pretext of lack of confirmation” and “not being afraid to

The resolution of the Supreme Council of Virtual Space, which was published in the same year, stipulated that: “Within three months and in cooperation with the National Center for Virtual Space, the Judiciary Power, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, a judicial draft to combat false information, news, and content in all dimensions should be formed and measures should be taken to revise and harmonize the punishments prescribed in all relevant laws with the aim of promoting deterrence at individual, group, institutional, local, national, and international levels. This includes determining and differentiating the responsibilities of website owners, publishing platforms, and individuals and legal entities producing and disseminating false news, information, and content, as well as clarifying the criteria for criminal offenses in the field of false information, news, and content in the virtual space. (3) It is important to note that these resolutions and decisions have never been able to fulfill the desires of decision-makers and provide

The impact of media communication methods on public trust.

It is obvious that if the audience knows that information is being classified, hidden from them, or distorted, important and true news will not reach them. This will decrease their trust and may lead them to turn to unofficial sources (social networks). The more honest and detailed official institutions publish information, the more public trust will increase. In other words, the use of technical and incomprehensible language for the general public, or on the contrary, excessive simplification that leads to distortion of reality, can destroy the trust of the audience. In the destruction of public trust, even contradictions between news and published information can have an impact and can lead to confusion and ultimately distrust of the audience.

For this reason, according to conducted research, people in Iran trust media that are not affiliated with a specific institution more. Even if official media have more reliable information, people prefer to use other media to get news. For example, news published on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, or Telegram are more popular. On the other hand, these platforms can increase rumors and cause distrust towards official media, leading to confusion for the audience. In such cases, if people do not trust official media, it may result in ignoring news or not finding the right path for decision-making in special situations.

Relying on official narratives causes the audience to doubt and trust more in rumors. This leads to a long-term environment for protests and civil disobedience. Public trust is the result of the performance of official institutions and media in crises. The more transparent, accountable, and professional these institutions act, the more cohesive and resilient society will be in the face of disasters. On the other hand, concealment, contradiction, or bias will have irreparable consequences.

Special websites that led to people’s distrust of official media.

The Ukrainian plane crash, after three days of silence from official media, was announced to the public. Initially, all government institutions denied any involvement in the incident, but after public pressure and the release of evidence, the Revolutionary Guards accepted responsibility. The Islamic Republic’s state media, following the regime’s policies, downplayed the issue, while foreign media and social networks quickly spread details of the tragedy and emphasized the importance of addressing the issue. This delay and lack of transparency sparked a wave of protests and intensified distrust in the official narrative.

The tragedy of the Metropl Abadan building is also among those incidents that led to people’s distrust of official media. Although this incident occurred due to construction violations, in the first few days, some local authorities tried to portray it as a predetermined fate and an unexpected event. While social media was filled with shocking images and videos, the radio and television did not give enough attention to this bitter tragedy, causing unofficial media to gain authority. Ultimately, the gap between the people and the officials widened and the protests in Abadan showed that the people hold regulatory bodies responsible for not addressing construction violations.

The tragedy of the explosion in Bandar Rajaei was another example of poor crisis management and lack of transparency in the country. While official sources initially downplayed the severity of the incident and did not provide accurate information, images shared on social media and eyewitness reports revealed the extent of the explosion and serious damages.

The history and hidden experience of secrecy in crises shows that other disasters such as not properly informing about the chemical bombing of Sardasht or nuclear incidents have caused people to be distrustful of official narratives. In this case, when moderate and official narratives are not trusted, extremist discourses (both domestically and internationally) spread.

The direct relationship between public trust in media and news, and social resilience.

“In crisis situations, the need for accurate and reliable information from official sources is essential for individuals to effectively respond and prevent potential dangers. In these circumstances, access to accurate and reliable information from official sources is of utmost importance. This information can include statistics, safety guidelines, and health recommendations that can help individuals make more informed decisions. In situations such as natural disasters, disease outbreaks, or social crises, using credible sources such as government organizations, health institutions, and reputable media can prevent the spread of rumors and misinformation. Awareness and education about the proper use of these tools is necessary to increase social resilience.”

Hadi Khaniki, a communications professor, speaks about lost public trust and capital, saying: “Today, we Iranians are living under various pressures, from concerns about water shortages and environmental crises to economic, social, and political pressures. These pressures directly or indirectly tell us that we cannot have a conversation, but I believe that in such situations, we must start with a conversation. The only way to

Lack of trust in official communication in Iran stems from repeated experiences of secrecy, inconsistency, and delays in information dissemination. This issue has been highlighted in crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, floods, or industrial accidents. On the other hand, the growth of technology and access to social networks has reduced the ability to control information.

Notes:

1- The resolution of strategic policies for media in natural crises such as the outbreak of the widespread coronavirus.

The Research Center of the Parliament.

“28 Mehr month 1400.”

2- Exploring the dimensions of the issue of information dissemination in the country and presenting policy solutions to increase the trust and credibility of the media.

Parliamentary Research Center.

“17 Mehr month 1403.”

3- The resolution of the Supreme Council of Virtual Space on the requirements for prevention and combating the dissemination of false information, news, and news content in the virtual space.

The Research Center of the Parliament.

“February 9th, 2021.”

4- The role of media and social networks in resilience and crisis management, Hossein Amjadiyan, official page of Cultural Resilience Mission Management Center.

Hakim Sabzevari University.

“7 Bahman month 1403.”

5- The only way to rebuild trust and social capital is through conversation.

ISNA.

25 Ordibehesht 1404.