Corruption, populism and trust in the judiciary

This article explores the relationship between media coverage of corruption, the rise of populism, and public trust in the judiciary in Italy. Introducing the concept of ‘corruption waves’, it analyses how peaks in media attention to corruption align with populist political breakthroughs. Using longitudinal data from Italian newspapers and public opinion surveys (1985–2024), the study shows that corruption scandals often create fertile ground for populist actors, who capitalize on anti-elite sentiment. Trust in the judiciary tends to rise during such waves, but the effect is short-lived and politically polarized. While populist parties initially support judicial efforts against corruption, their stance shifts once in power, leading to decreased trust among their voters. Italy’s recurrent corruption crises and populist surges make it a revealing case to understand broader democratic challenges in the relationship between politics, justice, and media.