MEDIA AND LEGITIMACY: THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN BUILDING TRUST IN GOVERNMENT

Abstract

The article is devoted to the analysis of the role of independent media in the formation of public trust in government structures in Ukraine and their function in ensuring the legitimacy of state power and the political system. It is demonstrated that the media are the main means of communication between the state and the public, providing the population with the necessary information to assess the effectiveness of state policy. It is found that in a democratic society, the level of quality of the media environment particularly affects the ability of people to receive reliable and verified information. It is determined that independent media perform not only an informational, but also a control function regarding the activities of state institutions, which contributes to increasing the transparency of management. The influence of the media on the formation of both diffuse and specific support for the government is analyzed, which allows ensuring the stability of the political system in the face of social and political challenges.
Particular attention is paid to the transformation of the information space after the Revolution of Dignity and during the period of full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. It is shown that digital platforms and social networks have become central sources of operational information, providing citizens with direct access to messages about state decisions and the course of military events. It is studied that digital governance and institutional mechanisms for regulating the information sphere contribute to strengthening the legitimacy of the authorities by facilitating citizens' access to administrative services and increasing the transparency of bureaucratic procedures. It is argued that prompt and clear communication between the authorities and society reduces the risks of information panic and increases the level of social cohesion.