Dropping Trust in US Media
6 hours ago
- #media-trust
- #gallup-poll
- #public-opinion
- Americans' confidence in mass media hits a new low at 28%, down from 31% last year and 40% five years ago.
- 70% of U.S. adults now have little to no confidence in the media (36% 'not very much', 34% 'none at all').
- Media trust has declined sharply since the 1970s, when 68-72% of Americans expressed confidence in reporting.
- Trust among Republicans drops to a record low of 8%, while Democrats' confidence is at 51%, matching a 2016 low.
- Independents' trust remains low at 27%, similar to last year's historical low.
- Older adults (65+) show higher media trust (43%) compared to younger age groups (28% or less).
- Generational divide in media trust has widened, with older Democrats (69%) far more trusting than younger Democrats (38-42%).
- Republicans' trust varies little by age (6-17%), while independents' trust is higher than Republicans but lower than Democrats.
- Overall media confidence is historically low, with fewer than 30% of Americans trusting newspapers, TV, and radio.
- News organizations face challenges in regaining credibility amid partisan and generational divides.