Media use and the Perceived Justice of Local Science Authorities

Abstract

This study uses a mail survey (N = 1,305) conducted in two Upstate New York counties to explore relationships between media use and individual fairness judgments regarding local scientists. It extends previous work in organizational justice to a community setting, with local scientists evaluated according to four social-psychological dimensions of justice—distributive, procedural, interpersonal, and informational. Results show science news attention positively related to perceived distributive, procedural, and interpersonal justice of local scientists. The conclusions argue that justice constructs can help media researchers better understand society's relationship with authorities.