Washington D.C. – Americans' trust in mainstream media has fallen to a historic low, with only 31% of U.S. adults expressing a "great deal" or "fair amount" of confidence in the press. This significant decline, highlighted by a recent Gallup poll spanning 1973 to 2024, marks the lowest point in over five decades of tracking. The findings underscore a deepening skepticism among the public regarding the media's ability to report news fully, accurately, and fairly.
The current 31% trust level represents a stark contrast to the 68% reported when Gallup first began measuring media trust in 1972. This downward trend has seen trust levels consistently below the majority mark since 2003, with the past three consecutive years showing more Americans having "no trust at all" than those with at least some trust. In 2024, 36% of respondents indicated they had no trust in the media whatsoever, surpassing the percentage expressing any level of trust.
A profound partisan divide continues to characterize these attitudes, with Democrats generally exhibiting higher trust in the media compared to Republicans and Independents. For instance, while a majority of Democrats still express confidence, only a small fraction of Republicans share this sentiment. This polarization has been a consistent feature of Gallup's findings on media trust. An age gap is also evident, with younger Americans demonstrating less trust in the news media than those aged 50 and older.
The news media now ranks among the least trusted institutions in the United States, positioned just above Congress in public confidence surveys. This low standing reflects a broader sentiment of disillusionment with established institutions. The continued erosion of trust presents significant challenges for the media landscape, impacting public discourse and the consumption of information.