By AlaskaWatchman.com

Nearly seven in 10 Americans say they have “not very much” trust (29%) or “none at all” (39%) when it comes to mass media. This ties the lowest level recorded by Gallup, matching 2016.

The four in 10 Americans who completely lack confidence in the media is the highest on record, and 12 points higher than the 2016 reading, which came amid sharp criticism of the media from then-presidential candidate Donald Trump – making the current assessment of the media the grimmest in Gallup’s history.

Gallup first asked this question in 1972 and has tracked it nearly every year since 1997. Trust ranged from 68% to 72% in three readings in the 1970s, and though it had declined by the late 1990s, it remained at the majority level until 2004, when it fell to 44%. After rebounding slightly to 50% in 2005, it has not risen above 47% since.

Democrats, who have historically rated the media more favorably, saw a significant decline in trust – falling 12 points over the past year, to 58%. Only 11% of Republicans and 29% of independents said they trust the media.

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Trust in U.S. media ties all-time low

Joel Davidson
Joel is Editor-in-Chief of the Alaska Watchman. Joel is an award winning journalist and has been reporting for over 24 years, He is a proud father of 8 children, and lives in Palmer, Alaska.


5 Comments

  • DaveMaxwell says:

    Well Joel and Jake kudos to both of you! We have not had to put up with the colluding with corrupt government officials with you. It’s refreshing and does in fact build trust! Can’t say that about porcarro, damboski , and downing!

  • DaveMaxwell says:

    Well isn’t that timely. Suzanne downing is getting out before it gets revealed that MRA was colluding with government and hiding dunleavy’s incompetence! Now watch for dunleavy to pay her back with your tax dollars just like he did for porcarro!

  • H.Nelson says:

    I trust Joel Davidson more than I would ever trust Randy Madcow er- Maddow.

  • Penny C Johnson says:

    When trust in the press/media is at an all-time low, it leads one to wonder how media outlets are handling the hemorrhaging of money. Next, it makes you wonder if outside political interests aren’t funneling money to these ‘markets’. The ‘press’ has been lying heavily since 2015. They’re so entrenched that they can’t even come clean. What an absolute sham the press has become.

  • DaveMaxwell says:

    We are increasing our contribution level to the watchman!!! What about you?