Edelman CEO: Plummeting trust in institutions has the world slipping into grievance. Here's the fix By Edelman

[blueseas]

The story of the Edelman Trust Barometer began in 1999 with the “Battle of Seattle,” when anti-globalization protests organized by nongovernmental organizations erupted in violence at the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference. 

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. But the Iraq War—and the false premises of nuclear threat and promise of democracy—began a long downward slide of public trust in government.

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Being honest means owning up to mistakes. It is not about deploying bluff and bluster or changing the conversation. It took a long time for the U.S. and U.K. to admit errors in judgment in Iraq. Neither the government nor the financial sector were quick to acknowledge the problems that brought about the financial crisis. As we approach the fifth anniversary of the start of the pandemic, the public still needs a reckoning on COVID.

We must fix our information systems. Quality information is the lifeblood of trust. Well-informed societies are healthier, more competitive, and resilient. While there is lively debate about freedom of speech, too often the argument is deployed to deflect from making commonsense decisions. Improved media literacy and investment in high-quality journalism would go some of the way. How we reshape our information systems as we adapt to living and working with generative AI—and eventually artificial general intelligence—is one of the grand challenges facing humanity. But media simply cannot do this alone. Leaders of government, business, and NGOs all have a responsibility to put out quality information to supplement media coverage. Politicians and public opinion formers have a duty of care to be part of the solution.

We should utilize local sources of trust. This extends well beyond those in official positions of power to leaders who people have regular interactions with and have practical influence over

More at link https://fortune.com/2025/01/14/edelman-ceo-essay-trust-barometer-25th-anniversary/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=ceo-daily&utm_content=2025012111am&tpcc=NL_Marketing

[LearnedHand]

1. I just posted the actual report a little earlier

Great minds! Dems ought to pay very close attention to this. It very clearly highlights the areas ripe for addressing with progressive people-oriented action.

[hatrack]

2. Super - here's some stone-cold oatmeal from the world's most successful PR whores . . . .

" Leaders of government, business, and NGOs all have a responsibility to put out quality information to supplement media coverage. Politicians and public opinion formers have a duty of care to be part of the solution."

Good idea!! Why didn't I think of that!?!?