Declining Trust in Mass Media Among Americans

A New Low in Media Trust

There's a glimmer of hope amidst the current state of affairs in America, as a recent poll reveals that the trust and confidence of Americans in mass media have plummeted to an all-time low. The Gallup poll conducted in early September found that a mere 31% of Americans have a "great deal" or a "fair amount" of trust in mass media when it comes to reporting news fully, accurately, and fairly. In contrast, a higher percentage of Americans, 36%, expressed complete distrust in the media.

Historical Perspective on Media Trust

Looking back to when Gallup first posed this question 52 years ago, trust in media was at its peak in 1976, with a whopping 72% - a figure that more than doubles the current levels. Conversely, the percentage of Americans expressing complete distrust has skyrocketed from single digits in 1976.

Media's Role in Eroding Trust

Over time, the mass media has consistently proven to be deserving of these low trust ratings. This is evident in various instances where the media propagated false narratives, such as the claim that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction, the promotion of the Trump-Russia collusion hoax, and the unscientific narratives supporting the disastrous Covid regime. The media's role in covering up President Biden's mental collapse is also noteworthy. Social media's role in this decline in trust cannot be overlooked, as it often provides Americans with information that contradicts mass media narratives or offers information that the mass media neglects to cover.

Partisan Differences in Media Trust

Significantly fewer Republicans than Democrats express a great deal or fair amount of trust in the media, with a 12% to 54% margin. However, even among Democrats, trust in media has seen a significant drop from 76% during the Trump presidency. This figure is expected to continue declining as older Democrats pass away. Gallup reports that younger Democrats have far less trust in the media than their older counterparts, with 31% of Democrats aged 18 to 29 having a great deal or fair amount of confidence compared to 74% of those aged 65 and older.

Comparing Media Trust with Other Institutions

Among the 10 major civic and political institutions evaluated in the Gallup survey, the mass media is the least trusted, narrowly surpassing the US Congress, in which only 34% of Americans have a fair or high degree of trust and confidence. State and local governments had the highest trust ratings.

Gallup's Summary of the Situation

While Gallup describes the current state of affairs as a "crisis of confidence," there's a sense of reassurance in seeing the rising distrust in institutions that have proven untrustworthy.

Bottom Line

The declining trust in mass media among Americans is a significant development. It's a clear indication of the growing skepticism and critical thinking among the public, which can potentially lead to more informed and discerning consumers of news. What are your thoughts on this matter? Feel free to share this article with your friends and spark a conversation. Remember, you can sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6 pm.