News Science Quarterly (NS)

News Science Quarterly (NS)

Foreign Media Consumption and Trust among Citizens of Indian-Administered Kashmir

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Hojatollah Edalatpanah 1
Majeid Rezaeian 2
Leila Hasani 3
1 Master of Media Management, Faculty of Culture and Communication, Soore International University, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: edalatpanah.hojat@gmail.com.
2 Corresponding Author, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Department of Cultural and Media Management, Faculty of Culture and Communication ,Soore International University,Tehran, Iran. E-mail: rezaeian@Soore.ac.ir.
3 Master of Executive Management, Strategic Orientation, Payame Noor University,Tehran, Iran. E-mail: leyla.hasani@gmail.com
10.22034/lrsi.2025.494084.1294
Abstract
Objective: This study aims to examine the extent of media consumption and its relationship with the trust of Kashmir's citizens in the news content of four international news networks: BBC, Press TV, Al Jazeera, and TRT, following the revocation of the region's autonomy by the Indian government.
Methods: The statistical population of this research consists of the citizens of Kashmir, India, with an estimated population exceeding 12 million, based on the latest information. Given the vast size of the population, a sample size of 384 individuals was determined using Cochran's formula, and quota sampling was employed for participant selection. Data collection was conducted through a survey using a researcher-designed questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was assessed using face validity in two stages in both Iran and Kashmir. Its reliability was confirmed with Cronbach's alpha coefficient, which exceeded 0.7 in all cases. Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software.
Results: Among the studied networks, Al Jazeera ranked highest in terms of consumption, with an average score of 2.61 on a 5-point scale. It was followed by BBC (average: 2.29), Press TV (average: 2.13), and TRT (average: 1.87). 
Regarding trust in foreign news networks, Al Jazeera also ranked highest with an average score of 3.48, followed by Press TV (average: 3.21), TRT (average: 3.17), and BBC (average: 2.88). Hypothesis testing revealed significant differences in the level of trust citizens placed in the studied networks. Furthermore, statistical tests indicated a positive correlation between media consumption and trust in the news for Al Jazeera, Press TV, and TRT. However, this relationship was not supported for BBC.
Conclusions: The level of trust in a news network, besides the extent of its consumption, may also be influenced by qualitative factors such as impartiality, transparency, and the ability to address the audience's informational needs.
Keywords
Kashmir
Foreign News
Media Consumption
Trust in News
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