According to the Gallup/Knight Foundation Survey on “Trust, Media and Democracy,” Americans have a more negative (43%) than positive (33%) view of the media. That said, more Americans consider Fox News to be objective compared to other major news outlets.
According to the study, 24% of Americans say Fox News is an objective information source. That compares to the 13% who say the same about CNN; 10% who say the same about NPR; 5% who say local news; 5% for BBC; 4% for MSNBC; 3% for PBS; 3% for NBC; 3% for New York Times; and 3% for ABC News.
This sentiment holds steady across many demographics. More 50-64 year-olds (28%), 65+ year-olds (35%), white Americans (29%), Independents (16%), and Republicans (60%) believe Fox News to be objective. Fox News ties CNN (both with 15%) with 18-29 year olds and NPR (both with 16%) with 30-49 year-olds.
The 24-hour news cycle and rise of independent Internet media have dramatically changed the way Americans consume and use news and view the credibility of outlets. Traditional television and print outlets need to strengthen their reputations for fair and factual reporting to increase confidence among their viewers and readers.
