The Damaging Effect of Leaks: How the Mode of Information Disclosure Shapes Citizens’ Trust

Political information does not always reach the public on politicians’ terms. This study explores how different modes of information disclosure – politician-controlled transparency, legally compelled disclosure, and leaks – affect trust in politicians and political processes. Using data from a survey experiment in Switzerland (N = 2,208) on government communication about different non-state actors (scientists, environmental associations, industrial associations) co-drafting a bill, the study finds that leaks to the press significantly reduce citizens' trust compared to legal disclosure modes (ministerial press conferences and freedom of information requests). The negative effect of leaks persists regardless of the information disclosed, and is exacerbated for controversial information. Notably, trust declines among both in-party supporters and out-partisans, with in-party supporters responding even more critically to freedom of information disclosures. Overall, the findings underscore the central role that the mode of disclosure, particularly leaks, plays in shaping public trust in both politicians and the political process.