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U.S. Trust in Mass Media Falls to Record 28%, Gallup Finds

The first sub‑30% reading in Gallup’s five‑decade trend underscores a widening credibility gap across parties, generations.

Overview

  • Gallup’s Sept. 2–16 survey shows 28% of U.S. adults trust newspapers, television and radio to report fully, accurately and fairly, the lowest share on record.
  • Republican confidence has dropped to 8% for the first single‑digit reading, while Democrats register 51% and independents hold at 27%, matching last year’s low.
  • Seventy percent report little or no confidence in the press, with 36% saying “not very much” and 34% “none at all.”
  • A sharp age gap persists: 43% of adults 65+ express trust versus no more than 28% in any younger group in aggregated 2023–2025 data.
  • While institutional trust erodes, separate THR/Morning Consult polling finds higher confidence in named anchors, and coverage notes community outlets like the Black Press retain trust with audiences despite financial strain.