Video: Do Americans trust the news media?
The declining public trust in the news media and polarization of news audiences have profound effects on civic life.
U.S. adults under 30 now trust information from social media almost as much as from national news outlets
Half of 18- to 29-year-olds say they have at least some trust in the information they get from social media sites.
U.S. journalists differ from the public in their views of ‘bothsidesism’ in journalism
55% of journalists surveyed say that every side does not always deserve equal coverage in the news. 22% of Americans overall say the same.
Journalists Sense Turmoil in Their Industry Amid Continued Passion for Their Work
A survey of U.S.-based journalists finds 77% would choose their career all over again, though 57% are highly concerned about future restrictions on press freedom.
Trust in America: Do Americans trust the news media?
The declining public trust in the news media and polarization of news audiences have profound effects on civic life.
Partisan divides in media trust widen, driven by a decline among Republicans
In just five years, the percentage of Republicans with at least some trust in national news organizations has been cut in half.
More Americans now say government should take steps to restrict false information online than in 2018
48% of US adults say the government should restrict false information online, even if it means losing some freedom to access/publish content.
Republicans less likely to trust their main news source if they see it as ‘mainstream’; Democrats more likely
Americans’ trust in media varies widely by political party and whether they see the outlet in question as part of the “mainstream media.”
What makes a news story trustworthy? Americans point to the outlet that publishes it, sources cited
U.S. adults’ views of what makes a news story trustworthy vary by party affiliation, demographic characteristics and news consumption habits.
Two-thirds of U.S. adults say they’ve seen their own news sources report facts meant to favor one side
59% of Americans say made-up information that is intended to mislead causes a “great deal” of confusion about the 2020 presidential election.
Americans blame unfair news coverage on media outlets, not the journalists who work for them
About eight-in-ten Americans (79%) say news organizations tend to favor one side when presenting the news on political and social issues.
