Australians’ trust in societal institutions has significantly dipped over the last year, according to new statistics released by Edelman Australia.
The 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer – which is the firm’s 22nd annual trust and credibility survey – was based on answers obtained via an online survey of 36,000 respondents across 28 markets, conducted in November 2021.
Only 52 per cent of Australians said they trusted the government to do the right thing, while 58 per cent said they trusted businesses and NGOs.
However, the media saw a stark drop from 2021 results, with only 43 per cent saying they trusted the Australian media, making it the nation’s only institution distrusted by the majority of the population.
The data also highlights noticeable differences between the institutions, with statistics showing Aussies find both the Government and the media more socially divisive than unifying – whereas it was the opposite for businesses and NGOs.
The 2022 results highlight a sharp decline from the previous year’s findings, which showed record trust levels across all institutions.
“This time last year, public trust was riding high amid optimism that Australia stood ready to bounce back from the pandemic,” said CEO Australia and vice chair of Asia Pacific, Edelman, Michelle Hutton (main photo).
“We asked ourselves at the time whether these levels of trust were sustainable and if Australia was experiencing a ‘trust bubble’.
“It’s clear from this year’s results that the trust bubble has burst, and it seems the past 12 months have set Australia down an increasingly divisive path.”
According to the report, the sizeable distrust in media was the result of fake news and purported spreading of disinformation, with 73 per cent of survey respondents worried false information was being used in a hostile manner.
Unsurprisingly, most respondents (55 per cent) said they only trust information sources once it’s been proven to be reliable and factual, while 61 per cent said they can no longer engage in a constructive and civil debate with others.
The report also found Aussies wanted businesses to become more engaged with social issues, with 44 per cent saying business should be addressing climate change, 42 per cent wanting business to improve workforce reskilling, and 40 per cent believing business should address economic inequality.
The report recommends strong leadership going forward, in order to recoup public trust.
“In the year ahead, transparency and social action will be the currency with which business will earn the
trust of their people and the public,” said Hutton.
“2022 must be the year of action; business has a larger-than-ever mandate to use its resources and scale to create value beyond the balance sheet.
“As firms work to create value for society, they have an opportunity to build trust with stakeholders along the way through operational transparency and authentic communication.”
