Trust in the establishment media has fallen to a record low, with only 31% of Americans expressing confidence that the media reports news “fully, accurately, and fairly,” according to a new Gallup poll released Monday. This marks a further decline from 2023 and ties the previous low of 32% seen in 2016.
The media’s credibility has been questioned over the years, with many Americans pointing to the media’s handling of major stories like Hunter Biden’s laptop, Russian collusion, and the January 6 investigation as reasons for growing skepticism. According to the poll, more U.S. adults now express no trust at all in the media than those who express a “great deal” or “fair amount” of trust.
A total of 36% of respondents said they have no confidence in the media, while 33% expressed “not very much” trust. Partisanship continues to play a significant role in media trust levels. Democrats reported the highest confidence at 54%, while only 27% of independents and 12% of Republicans felt similarly.
Media trust has steadily declined since the 1970s, when it ranged between 60% and 70%, but has seen sharp drops in recent years. During President Donald Trump’s term, trust levels reached some of their lowest points, reflecting the growing divide between the media and the public. Social media platforms have also contributed to the decline in establishment media’s dominance, as more Americans turn to alternative sources for news.