Countries With the Most Trusted Media

Trust in the media remains an important indicator of how people perceive news organizations and their role in society. According to the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer, several countries recorded relatively high levels of trust in media, with China, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates at the top of the list.

The survey measured whether respondents trusted the media to “do what is right,” using a nine-point scale and reporting the percentage selecting the top four responses.

China ranked first, with 81% of respondents saying they trusted the media. This represented a six-point increase from 2025. Indonesia followed with 76%, up one point, while the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recorded 74%, marking a significant 15-point increase from the previous year.

The next group consisted of Kenya and Nigeria, both at 70%. Kenya's figure increased by four points, while Nigeria's rose by seven points compared with 2025. Thailand recorded 67%, unchanged from the previous year. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia reached 66%, five points higher than in 2025, and India recorded 65%, a two-point decrease.

These figures stand out against the 28-market global average of 54%. Edelman's report found that media was trusted in only 15 of the 28 countries measured, while 13 countries fell into the distrust range.

At the same time, the report highlights broader challenges facing the information environment. Globally, 65% of respondents said they were concerned that foreign actors were injecting false information into national media to increase domestic divisions.

The results should therefore be understood as public perceptions of media, rather than an objective assessment of media accuracy or independence in each country. The survey was conducted online between October 23 and November 18, 2025, among nearly 34,000 respondents across 28 countries.

Overall, the 2026 findings show considerable differences in media trust around the world. The high scores recorded in China, Indonesia, the UAE, Kenya, Nigeria, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and India indicate that substantial portions of respondents in these countries expressed confidence in their media institutions, although trust levels and year-to-year changes varied considerably.