The majority of Americans (57%) say they have little or no trust in the mass media to report the news fully, accurately, and fairly according to the recent annual update on trust in the mass media by Gallup. This finding is consistant with the findings of the previous three years.
Trust in the media is even lower than trust in the executive and judicial branches of government and only slightly higher than trust in the legislative branch. Trust in all three branches of government is down sharply this year.
Of those polled, 63% perceiving media bias in one direction or the other. Nearly half of those polled claimed the media are too liberal while 15% say they are too conservative.
Earlier this year, a poll on media found Americans expressing near-record-low confidence in both newspapers and television news. Only 25% of Americans say they have a “great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in either.
Americans’ confidence in newspapers and television news is similar to their low confidence in banks, Health Management Organizations and big business, says Gallup.
The media is struggling to serve and compete with growing demand for online news, social media, and mobile platforms..
Gallup has studied human nature and behavior for more than 75 years with highly regarded polls that provide unique, insight into the political, economic, and social issues of the day.
Read more about the poll at Gallup.com
