Americans’ already low confidence in the media has cratered, according to data obtained by Axios.
The poll: Data from global communications firm Edelman’s annual trust barometer revealed that for the first time ever, more than half of all Americans distrust traditional media.
- 56% of Americans agree that “Journalists and reporters are purposely trying to mislead people by saying things they know are false or gross exaggerations,” Axios reported on Thursday.
- Meanwhile, 58% of Americans believe “most news organizations are more concerned with supporting an ideology or political position than with informing the public.”
- Edelman re-polled Americans after the election and the results got worse: 57% of Democrats said they trusted the media, while only 18% of Republicans said the same.
Context: For many on the right, including President Donald Trump, traditional media bias against conservatives is one of the most pressing issues of the day.
- But Edelman’s survey shows the problem transcends partisan lines and hints at the country’s deeper dissatisfaction with the institution of the press.
- And as Axios notes, those seeking to blame the issue of public distrust on Trump’s war against the “fake news” media would be mistaken: figures showing a loss of confidence in the press are reflected in countries across the world.
