Legacy media have spent years perpetuating some of the biggest hoaxes in modern history, and it appears the American public is continuing to notice.
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On Thursday, Gallup released the results of its annual survey of Americans’ confidence in media. The poll’s baseline finding is that trust in the country’s media is at the lowest point ever recorded.
According to the survey, just 28 percent of Americans expressed having a ‘great deal’ or ‘fair amount’ of trust in newspapers, television, and radio to report the news fully, accurately, and fairly. That figure, Gallup noted, is down from 31% last year and 40% five years ago, marking the first time the measure has fallen below 30%.
“Meanwhile, seven in 10 U.S. adults now say they have ‘not very much’ confidence (36%) or ‘none at all’ (34%),” the report reads.
Gallup highlighted how trust in media has declined among Americans of all political backgrounds. While more Democrats and independents expressed ‘great’ or ‘fair’ confidence in the media (51 percent and 27 percent, respectively) than Republicans (8 percent), the percentages with high confidence in reporting are at low points among all party groups. Republicans’ 8 percent figure is the first time their level of trust in the media has dropped to single digits, according to the survey.
Generational Divide in Trust
Gallup also flagged a stark divide among differing age groups when it comes to trust in legacy media. The poll found that while confidence in the press has declined across the board, a greater percentage of older Americans (65 and up) expressed having faith in media than younger Americans.
“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,” Gallup concluded. “With confidence fractured along partisan and generational lines, the challenge for news organizations is not only to deliver fair and accurate reporting but also to regain credibility across an increasingly polarized and skeptical public.”
The findings are significant for legacy journalists and reporters who have faced criticism for their handling of various high-profile stories. Critics argue that these media outlets have contributed to misinformation campaigns, which may have further eroded public trust in their reporting.
Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He previously served as a state content writer for Convention of States Action and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood.
Why it matters
- Trust in U.S. media has hit a record low, with only 28% of Americans expressing confidence, down from 31% last year.
- The decline in media trust spans all political affiliations, with Republicans' trust dropping to a historic low of 8%.
- Younger Americans show significantly less trust in legacy media compared to older generations, highlighting a generational divide.
- The findings underscore the challenges for media organizations in regaining credibility amid widespread skepticism.
What’s next
- Media organizations may need to implement strategies to rebuild trust among the public.
- Further studies could explore the impact of misinformation on public perception of media.
- Upcoming discussions on media accountability may arise in response to these findings.