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Americans’ Trust in News Media Continues Downward Slide, Pew Survey Finds
Trust in both national and local news organizations has declined significantly among American adults, reversing modest gains observed earlier this year, according to a comprehensive new survey by the Pew Research Center. The erosion of confidence spans political affiliation, age groups, and media types, highlighting broader challenges facing the journalism industry.
The survey, which polled 5,195 U.S. adults in September, reveals that just 56% of Americans now say they have “a lot” or “some” trust in information from national news organizations. This represents an 11-percentage point drop since March 2025 and a substantial 20-point decline since Pew began tracking this metric in 2016.
Local news outlets continue to command greater public confidence than their national counterparts, with 70% of respondents expressing at least some trust in their information. However, this figure has also fallen from 80% in March and 82% in 2016, suggesting that even the traditionally more trusted local media landscape is experiencing erosion in public confidence.
The partisan divide in media trust remains pronounced, though both Republicans and Democrats show declining faith in news sources. Among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, only 44% express at least some trust in national news organizations, down from 53% in March and significantly below the 70% recorded in 2016. While this figure represents a decline, it remains above the record low of 35% measured in 2021.
Democrats continue to demonstrate greater trust in traditional media, with 69% expressing confidence in national news organizations and 78% in local outlets. However, these numbers represent historic lows for Democrats since the survey’s inception and reflect steep drops from March 2025, when those figures stood at 81% and 87% respectively.
“The consistent downward trend across political affiliations suggests factors beyond partisan polarization may be driving this erosion of trust,” said media analyst Jennifer Kaplan, who was not involved in the study. “Economic pressures on newsrooms, changing consumption habits, and the proliferation of alternative information sources are likely contributing to this widespread decline.”
Age differences reveal additional dimensions to the trust crisis. Adults under 50 generally express less confidence in news organizations than their older counterparts. Most notably, Americans under 30 now trust national news outlets (51%) at nearly the same rate as they trust information from social media sites (50%) – a concerning equivalence for traditional journalism institutions.
When combining age and political affiliation, the data reveals particularly pronounced differences among Democrats. While 79% of Democrats aged 65 and older express trust in national news organizations, this figure drops to just 61% among Democrats under 30. Republicans show less dramatic age variations, with trust levels ranging from 42% among the youngest Republicans to 50% among those 65 and older.
Social media platforms maintain relatively stable, if modest, trust levels. Currently, 37% of both Republicans and Democrats express some trust in information from social media sites. This represents a decrease among Republicans after a period of increasing confidence, while Democratic trust in social media has remained relatively steady.
The declining trust comes amid significant challenges for the news industry, including financial pressures, staffing cuts, ownership consolidation, and intense competition for audience attention. Major newspapers and television networks have faced criticism from across the political spectrum regarding coverage choices, framing decisions, and perceived biases.
Industry observers note that rebuilding trust will require concerted efforts from news organizations to demonstrate transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to audience concerns. Some outlets have implemented reader ombudsmen, transparent correction policies, and clearer separation between news and opinion content in attempts to address these issues.
The Pew findings contribute to a growing body of research documenting Americans’ changing relationship with news media and raise important questions about the future role of journalism in civic discourse and democratic processes.
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16 Comments
The erosion of trust in local news is particularly worrying, as these outlets have traditionally been seen as more reliable and connected to their communities. I wonder if the financial challenges facing many local newsrooms have contributed to this decline in confidence.
That’s a good point. The financial struggles of local media outlets could certainly play a role in the declining trust, as it may impact their ability to maintain high journalistic standards and community engagement.
This is a concerning trend that deserves further examination. As someone who values high-quality, fact-based journalism, I hope the industry can find ways to regain the public’s trust and reinforce its crucial role in a healthy democracy.
I agree completely. Rebuilding trust in the media is essential, and it will require a concerted effort from both journalists and the public. It’s a challenge, but one that’s worth tackling for the sake of our shared information ecosystem.
The partisan divide in media trust is striking. I wonder if this reflects a growing polarization in society, where people are increasingly retreating into echo chambers and struggling to find common ground. This could pose challenges for objective reporting.
That’s a good point. The partisan divide is concerning and may make it harder for the media to play its crucial role as a neutral source of information.
It’s interesting to see how trust patterns have shifted over time. I wonder if the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting information landscape have further exacerbated the erosion of trust in news sources. This is a complex issue with no easy solutions.
That’s a good point. The pandemic and the resulting flood of information (and misinformation) may have contributed to the declining trust in media. Rebuilding that trust will require sustained effort from both journalists and the public.
It’s concerning to see the significant drop in trust for both national and local news organizations. Maintaining public confidence in journalism is crucial for a healthy democracy. I hope the industry can find ways to rebuild that trust.
I agree, the erosion of trust is worrying. Restoring faith in the media will likely require a multifaceted approach, addressing issues like transparency, accuracy, and perceived biases.
The rise of social media and the spread of misinformation online seem to be playing a big role in the declining trust in traditional media. People are increasingly exposed to unverified claims and biased narratives, which can undermine confidence in professional journalism.
You’re absolutely right. The proliferation of misinformation on social media platforms is a major challenge for mainstream media outlets trying to maintain their credibility.
Fascinating to see how trust in media has shifted over time. I wonder what factors are driving the erosion of confidence, especially in local news outlets. Could it be a broader societal distrust or the rise of misinformation online?
Yes, the declining trust in local news is particularly concerning. Local media has traditionally been seen as more reliable, so this erosion raises questions about the drivers behind it.
The findings in this survey are certainly thought-provoking. I think it’s crucial for news organizations to continuously evaluate their practices and find ways to regain the public’s trust. Transparency, accountability, and a commitment to factual reporting will be key.
Well said. News outlets need to work hard to demonstrate their integrity and commitment to unbiased, fact-based journalism. Rebuilding trust will be a long-term challenge, but it’s essential for the health of our information ecosystem.