Overall trust in news is up significantly: Local TV News is the most trusted source

More people trust local TV news than any other source. That’s the key finding in the latest Poynter Media Trust Survey. Trust in the media overall, the report shows, has increased since President Trump took office.

The survey shows similar results to a Gallup poll and a survey done for The Economist.

76% of Americans say they have either “a great deal” of trust, or “a fair amount” of trust in local TV newscasts. The results reflect both Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.

Local newspapers came in second at 73%, showing again that news consumers have confidence in local news sources.

National newspapers and national network TV news earned 59% and 55% scores respectively. Online-only news sources fell to 47%.

DATA SOURCE: Poynter Media Trust Survey

The research, Poynter reports, shows that media trust remains slightly higher than before Donald Trump became President. The trust index has revounded from its 2016 low when only 32% of the public said they had confidence in the media as a whole. Today, that number is 54%.

Democrats

In 2016, 51% of Demcrats said they had a great deal or fair amount of turst and confidence in news media as a whole. That number now stands at 73%.

Republican

Here’s where we see the biggest partisan divide. Only 14% of Republicans in 2016 said they trusted media as a whole. While the number has risen significantly, it still stands at only 23%.

When it comes to local, though, 73% of Repbublicans say they trust local TV news while distrusting online-only news sources and national network news.

Fair Dealing

In addition, 55% of Democrats surveyed said the news media deals fairly with all sides while only 10% of Republicans agreed.

RELATED READING:

• In this era of “Fake News,” TV News is still rated as most accurate by all parties
• Social Media falling out of favor as a news source
• The Implosion of Trust in the United States
• The Facebook Love Affair Is Finally Over: Users Lose Trust
• We’ve got work to do: Majority of public thinks media is biased
• Republicans and Democrats more likely to classify a news statement as factual if it favors their side?—?whether it is factual or opinion