The Role of Media Literacy in Political Trust (Case Study: People of Shahinshahr)

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of media literacy in the political trust of the people of Shahinshahr. The purpose of this "applied-descriptive" survey based on a cross-sectional method was conducted "first half of 2020. The statistical sample of this study was 373 people living in Shahinshahr who were selected based on "multi-stage cluster sampling" based on "urban geography model". Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to calculate the reliability of the questionnaire. In addition to content validity, confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess its validity. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.897 for media literacy, 0.869 for political trust and 0.914 for the whole questionnaire. Data analysis was performed by descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Those variables that were nominal were analyzed with frequency distribution tables and hypothesis test analysis was performed by confirmatory factor analysis in Spss and Amos software environments. The findings of this study showed that with 95% certainty, media literacy and its extent play a significant role in political trust. "Ability to communicate, access and use of media", "Ability to analyze critically the media content", "Ability to understand the content of media messages" and "Ability to analyze and evaluate media messages", respectively, have the most important impact in this meaningful correlation. In a final analysis, the results confirmed that political trust would increase if media literacy was strengthened