The role of distrust in the health system in the relationship between health news and biotechnology attitudes

This study aims to examine the mediating role of distrust in the health system in the relationship between individuals' perceptions of health news and their attitudes toward biotechnology. Data were collected from 624 students in the Faculty of Communication at a public university using convenience and cluster sampling methods. The data collection instrument was an online questionnaire consisting of four sections, including the Health News Perception Scale, the Attitude Toward Biotechnology Scale, and the Distrust in Health Systems Scale. Analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS and AMOS. Measurement models were validated through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), followed by a mediation test using structural equation modeling (SEM), and bootstrap confidence intervals were reported for indirect effects. Findings revealed a significant and positive relationship between perceptions of health news and attitudes toward biotechnology, with distrust in the health system playing a significant mediating role in this relationship. Moreover, it was observed that as trust in health journalism increased, attitudes toward biotechnology became more positive. Accordingly, it can be suggested that for media professionals and policymakers, institutionalizing transparency in evidence levels, uncertainty reporting, and conflict of interest disclosures in news production could strengthen trust both in news and in the health system, thereby enhancing public openness to biotechnological innovations. A systematic approach to health communication grounded in transparency, accuracy, and trust, and supported by media literacy and fact-checking mechanisms may reduce the impact of misinformation while reinforcing public confidence in the health system and acceptance of biotechnology.