Analysis of the relationship between media popularit y and perceiving their credibility

The goal of our thesis was to study the relation between trust and media. Therefore, we have introduced some selected theoretical approaches of trust in relation to society and we have also formulated our own theoretical implications on the basis of this review which we have later used in our research of trust in media. In the theoretical part we have defined the concept of trust in terms of two key principals of trust based on the rational and intuitive understanding of trust. We have described hierarchical levels of trust in society and then we have focused on interpersonal and system level. We have reviewed selected theoretical approaches to trust and we have outlined the development of trust within sociology. We have explained the function of media in society and pointed out the reasons of the interest in studying trust in media together with the review of the concepts of media effects. Then we have briefly summarized the empirical research and mentioned the situation in the Czech Republic. Finally we have suggested some phenomenons that may cause the decrease in trust are named. In the research part we have concerned with the analysis between media source popularity operetionalised as a frequency of using of the media source and its credibility perceived by recipients. Another research goal..