U.S. Media Freedom: Perceptions Hit New Low
9 hours ago
- The percentage of Americans saying U.S. media have a lot of freedom dropped to a new low of 69% in 2026, down from 75% in 2025.
- A partisan divide has emerged since 2024: 91% of Republicans vs. 57% of Democrats now perceive high media freedom.
- The U.S. no longer outpaces other advanced economies; it now falls below the OECD median for the first time.
- Trust in mass media remains low (33% in 2026), with a slight uptick driven by Republicans.
- Eroding belief in media freedom and deep partisan splits raise concerns about the media's watchdog role.