Five Key Insights into Americans' Views of the News Media
Courtesy of Gallup (2025)
GALLUP POLL KEY FINDIGS
Americans’ trust in the news media has plummeted over the past five decades, with stark partisan and generational divides shaping public confidence. A new Gallup report outlines the extent of this decline, revealing the extent to which distrust has grown, particularly among younger Americans and Republicans. Here’s what we found most striking:
Trust in Media is at a Historic Low – Fewer than a third of Americans now say they trust the news media to report “fully, accurately, and fairly.” This marks a sharp drop from the 1970s when nearly two-thirds of the public held such trust.
Partisan Divide is Extreme – Republican distrust in the media has soared, with nearly 60% reporting they have "no trust at all" in mass media. Independents have also grown skeptical, with 42% reporting similar distrust, while Democrats remain the most trusting, though even their confidence has waned in recent years.
Generational Trends Signal a Grim Future – Americans under 50 are significantly less trusting of the media than older generations, indicating that this decline is not just a momentary political trend but a lasting generational shift.
Media Trust Has Declined Faster Than Confidence in Other Institutions – While trust in American institutions has generally waned, the news media has seen a steeper drop in confidence compared to other pillars of democracy, including Congress, the presidency, and the Supreme Court.
Print News Fares Better Than Television, But Only Slightly – While trust in both newspaper and television reporters has fallen dramatically, TV news faces the steepest credibility crisis, with only 13% of Americans rating TV journalists as having high ethical standards.
CAC Takeaways: What This Means for Democracy and Moderation
1. The Loss of a Shared Information Ecosystem Is Fueling Polarization
This study reaffirms what many Americans already feel: we live in separate information bubbles. The collapse of a shared set of facts makes it harder for political moderates and bipartisan coalitions—like the Center Aisle Coalition—to bridge the divide. With trust in mainstream media eroding, independent, nonpartisan sources will need to step up.
2. Moderates and Independents Have a Unique Role to Play
While partisan media distrust is most extreme among Republicans, independents also express deep skepticism. This presents an opportunity: Americans in the center want news they can trust, free from ideological spin. Nontraditional media—such as independent journalism and centrist coalitions—must fill the gap with credibility-driven, solutions-focused reporting.
At CAC, we believe that restoring trust in institutions—media included—starts with transparency, accountability, and a commitment to balanced, fact-based discourse. The future of a functioning democracy depends on it.
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