Americans' Trust In Mass Media, 2001-2018 [CHART]

Chart: Americans' Trust In Mass Media, 2001-2018

Almost half (45%) of American adults now trust the mass media, representing an uptick from 41% last year and a low of 32% in 2016, per survey results from Gallup. Although trust in the mass media hasn’t recovered to levels observed in the late 1990s and early 2000s, it is now higher that at any point since 2009, according to the report.

This year the percentage of Americans who have a “great deal” of confidence and trust in the mass media when it comes to reporting the news fully, accurately and fairly – at 14% – is the highest since 2003. Broader levels of trust (measured as “great deal” or “fair amount”) have been higher more recently, though, including a 50% mark in 2005.

This year’s continued recovery is being driven again by Democrats. This year an impressive 76% of Democrats surveyed trust mass media a “great deal” or a “fair amount” – the highest level since Gallup began sorting by party affiliation 20 years ago.

Independents are also registering a higher level of confidence this year (up 5% points to 42%). Republicans also express more confidence, but there is a vast gulf in confidence between them (just 21% trusting) and Democrats (76% trusting). Read the rest at MarketingCharts.