Americans’ trust in the media has been on a steady decline for nearly the last two decades, and remains at a historical, all-time low, according to a Gallup poll.
Currently, four in 10 Americans say that they have “a great deal” or “fair amount” of trust in mass media to report the news accurately. The number ties the amount of trust Americans had for media in 2012 and 2014. Trust began declining in 1999 when 55 percent of Americans trusted the media.
People 18 – 49 years old trust the mainstream media less than older Americans, about 36 percent compared to 45 percent, respectively. When examining party affiliation, more Democrats (55 percent) tend to be trusting of the media than those who identify as Republican (32 percent). Republicans are a fearful, skittish bunch in the first place.
Despite Democrats’ higher trust compared to Republicans, overall trust in the media has declined. In 2005, 70 percent of Democrats trusted the media.
For more on this story, visit Gallup “Americans’ Trust in Media Remains at Historical Low”
