Opinion: Can Generation Z Rescue Journalism? Only with a Renewed Sense of Trust

Whom do you trust These days, that circle is shrinking for many people. According to Pew Research Center, only a bit more than one third of Americans believe others are generally trustworthy, a steady decline over the past twenty years. Gallup data shows trust in institutions such as schools, courts and the presidency has fallen to historic lows. This erosion is also visible in one familiar institution, the media. SmartNews, an app that gathers reports from reputable outlets, found that sixty five percent of Gen Z readers frequently question whether news is accurate, the highest rate among all age groups.

A study from the News Literacy Project revealed that four in five teens think journalists do not provide more reliable information than other online creators. Nearly seven in ten believe bias is added on purpose, and forty five percent think journalists harm democracy more than they help it.

These findings are both a warning and a challenge. Young people remain highly skeptical, yet they still want information they can trust. A degree of skepticism is healthy, helping readers analyze content and avoid falsehoods. When skepticism goes unchecked, however, it can turn into cynicism, distancing people from shared facts and meaningful civic conversations. When disbelief becomes the default response, many disengage entirely.

News literacy offers a way forward. It is more than a toolkit, it is a foundation for rebuilding trust in democratic life. If the goal is to foster informed skepticism rather than corrosive cynicism toward the media, young people need guidance to navigate an increasingly tangled digital environment.

The urgency is clear. Misinformation flourishes where trust collapses. Conspiracy theories and viral fabrications spread rapidly. Research from the News Literacy Project shows that many teens accept conspiracy theories they encounter online. SmartNews also found that only thirteen percent of Gen Z regularly fact checks what they read, making them the least likely generation to verify content.

It is easy to see how this happened. Sensational headlines and constant updates can make the world seem threatening. Social feeds overflow with rumors and falsehoods. Sorting the real from the fake is difficult, and the rise of artificial intelligence adds another layer of confusion. This does not mean Gen Z is indifferent to truth. On the contrary, they value it deeply but feel overwhelmed by the endless stream of information. Being digital natives does not automatically grant them the ability to judge credibility. Instruction in news literacy helps create a shared baseline of understanding.

There are encouraging signs. Schools across the country are responding. In New Yorks North Salem Central School District, librarian Cynthia Sandler guided students in producing Instagram reels about distinguishing news from ads, identifying AI generated images and verifying claims using reliable sources. In California, a teacher at Woodland Hills Academy created a current events course focused on media literacy. In Illinois, educators are weaving news literacy into subjects ranging from hip hop history to scientific research.

The impact is significant. Teens who receive media literacy instruction show higher levels of trust in news compared to peers who did not receive such lessons.

These examples reflect a national movement. At least eighteen states now have laws supporting or requiring media literacy education, with Connecticut, Illinois and New Jersey mandating news literacy specifically.

To expand these efforts, schools can begin with five key practices that help students determine which sources deserve trust:

• Search quickly for background: A brief search about a news source reveals how it is regarded and whether it values accuracy.
• Look for ethical standards: Reputable outlets aim for fairness, accuracy and independence, even if they are not perfect.
• Check for transparency: Quality sources explain their methods, ownership and funding.
• Review how errors are corrected: Sources committed to accuracy acknowledge and fix mistakes.
• Evaluate coverage: Reading multiple articles shows whether reporting practices reinforce credibility.

Skepticism is crucial in todays information landscape, but cynicism erodes trust and civic engagement. When young people gain both critical thinking tools and access to reliable platforms, they are better prepared to shape their world through facts rather than fear. That is the kind of future worth building.

Author: Logan Reeves