The Gallup/Knight Survey confirms that news consumers don't have confidence in the media.
DePaw University's Jeff McCall said this trend of mistrust has been going on for 15 years now.
People used to rely on the media to quickly research the information, gather different sources and points of view and report that—without bias—to the public.
He said the public can sense when the media is underperforming...with weak sources and biased reporting.
“And, I think it shows also that news consumer are not so dumb that they can’t sense when the media is underperforming,” said McCall.
McCall says distrust of the media isn't good for the nation or democracy.
“So, this does harm the nation, it adds to polarization. I think when we see the media performing so poorly, it adds to the overall distrust in institutions and the establishment,” said McCall.
He said if this mistrust continues, it will make people go to partisan Websites or social media for news, which are often incorrect.
Add this part to the story at your own risk:
- 54% of Democrats said the media was "critical," 36% said it was "very important"
- 44% of independents said the media was "critical," 36% said it was "very important
- 33% of Republicans said said it was "critical," and 46% said it was very important.
- According to the survey, the negative views of the media didn't stop at whether the industry supported democracy. Per the survey, with a plurality (43%) saying they had an unfavorable opinion of the news media, compared to 33% said they had a favorable view, and 23% who were neutral.
- Broken down political party, and Republicans continued to be the most wary of the media:
- 68% of Republicans had an unfavorable view of the news media, compared to 15% who had a favorable view and 16% who were neutral
- 48% of independents had an unfavorable view of the news media, compared to 25% who had a favorable view and 25% who were neutral
- 18% of Democrats had an unfavorable view of the news media, compared to 54% who had a favorable view and 26% who were neutral