Rebuilding Trust in Government, NGOs, and the Media: Is It Even Possible?

Abbie and Adrian talk about the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer report, which reveals rising global grievances and declining trust in institutions. They explore how businesses, governments, and NGOs can rebuild trust amidst economic and social challenges.

The discussion centers on the role of transparent communication, responsible leadership, how generational differences affect perceptions of trust and "hostile activism," as well as what people say institutions should do to improve societal trust.

Read the transcript and notes for this episode on our website.

Key Takeaways

• The Edelman Trust Barometer reveals a global decline in trust across institutions, with grievances rising significantly.
• Business leaders are being called upon to spearhead trust restoration efforts, but this must be a collaborative endeavor involving governments, NGOs, and the media.
• Generational differences exist in perceptions of activism, with younger populations more inclined to view hostile activism as a necessary response to grievances.
• There is a pressing need for transparent and honest communication by institutions to combat misinformation and rebuild public trust.
• Consumers of news must also engage responsibly by seeking diverse perspectives and developing informed opinions.

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Need to hire a PR firm?

We demystify the process and give you some helpful advice in Episode 19: "How to Hire a Public Relations Agency in Arizona: Insider Tips for Executives and Marketing Directors."

Credits

Copper State of Mind, hosted by Abbie Fink and Dr. Adrian McIntyre, is a project of HMA Public Relations, a full-service public relations and marketing communications firm in Phoenix.

The show is recorded and produced by the team at Speed of Story, a B2B communications firm, and distributed by PHX.fm, the leading independent B2B podcast network in Arizona.

If you like this podcast, you might also enjoy PRGN Presents, featuring conversations about PR, marketing, and communications with members of the Public Relations Global Network, "the world’s local public relations agency.”