A new poll has found that trust in mass media is at a new low, continuing a steady decline in Americans’ opinion about the fourth estate since 2016, when it started dropping dramatically.
The latest Gallup poll — conducted between September 3-15 — found that Americans’ trust in the media and Congress is very low, while their trust in local and state government remains higher.
Respondents were asked, “How much trust and confidence do you have in the mass media — such as newspapers, TV and radio — when it comes to reporting the news fully, accurately and fairly?” Only 31% of Americans have “a great deal” or “a fair amount” of trust. That is down one percent from the 32% who felt that way just one year ago.
Another 33% said they didn’t have “very much” confidence when it comes to the mass media to report the news “accurately.” Another 36% said they had no trust at all in the media, which was exactly the same way Americans felt a year ago when asked the same question.
The organization has been charting public opinion when it comes to Americans’ trust in mass media since 1972, when trust in news outlets was at an all-time high. In 1972, 70% had a “great deal” or “fair amount” of confidence that the news they were getting was accurate, while only 6% had no trust at all.
NEW – Americans’ Trust in Media Remains at Trend Low!
The latest Gallup survey reveals that the percentage of Americans expressing a great deal or a fair amount of trust in the mass media has plummeted to an all-time low! pic.twitter.com/i7yqthkaFo
— 🇺🇸 Larry 🇺🇸 (@LarryDJonesJr) October 15, 2024
When it comes to party affiliation, Republicans over time have consistently not trusted what was coming out of news organizations, with only 12% of Republicans currently saying they have a “great deal” or “fair amount of trust” in the media.
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Independents currently said they trusted the media by 27% when asked the same question. However, Democrats have 54% confidence that what they are getting from the news is accurate.
Across the board, though, trust in media is the lowest it’s been since Gallup started asking the question in 1972. However, the largest drop is among self-identified Republicans, falling from 68% who trusted the media in 1972 to the shocking 12% who feel that way now.
Not far behind Americans’ distrust in mass media is how they feel about the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, with only 34% who have a “great deal” or “fair amount” of trust in them.
