In 2020, 40% of Americans viewed the media as trustworthy; now, five years later, that number has dropped by double digits.
A new Gallup survey finds only 28% express a “great deal” or “fair amount” of trust in newspapers, radio, and television to report the news fully, accurately, and fairly.
When you break it down by party label, a significant divide is evident between Republicans and Democrats. Fifty-one percent of Democrats said they trust what they see or listen to from the media. Only eight percent of Republicans had confidence in news outlets. In 2015, only 15% of GOP voters trusted the media. Among independents, only 27% said they trust what is reported.
Media Trust Among Age Groups
The Gallup survey shows older Americans trust the news more than younger Americans. Adults who are 65 and older, 43% of them trust the media. But only 28% of younger people trust the news.
Gallup said 38% of Democrats between the ages of 18 and 29 trust the media. 42% of Democrats aged between 30 and 49 trust the media. Fifty-nine percent of Democrats between the ages of 50 and 64 believe what they read, and 69% of Democrats 65 and older trust the news.
In the 1970’s, when Gallup started their surveys, the number of Americans who trusted the media was between 68% and 72%. By 1997, that number had dropped to 53%. In 2004, it went down by almost 10 points to 44%. The number did go back up in 2018 when Gallup found 45% had faith in the media.
“Confidence in the mass media is historically low, with fewer than three in 10 Americans now placing trust in newspapers, television, and radio to report the news fully, fairly, and accurately. The decline is evident across all major partisan groups, although Republicans’ confidence has now dropped to single digits, while independents remain largely skeptical. Democrats, who traditionally have been most positive toward the media, now register only a slim majority,” said Gallup.
Has your trust in mainstream news media collapsed? If so, tell us why in the comments section below.
