The Associated Press reported that half of Americans in a recent survey indicated they believe national news organizations intend to mislead, misinform or persuade the public to adopt a particular point of view through their reporting.
Gallup and the Knight Foundation released the survey in mid-February. The AP reported it goes beyond others that have shown a low level of trust in the media, and makes the startling point that many believe there is an intent to deceive.
While Americans don’t seem to trust national news outlets, the survey found they had more trust in local news.
Among other findings, 58% said they get their news online, 31% said television, 7% said radio, and 3% mentioned printed newspapers or magazines.
For members of Gen Z, aged 18- to 25-years-old, 88% said they got their news online.
Shop Talk is a weekly panel discussion about journalism issues. This week’s program featured Will Buss, who teaches in the Department of Broadcasting and Journalism at Western Illinois University and advises the student editors at the Western Courier and the students at student radio station The Dog: Jessica Martin, who teaches in the Department of Broadcasting and Journalism at Western Illinois University and is news director of NEWS3-TV at WIU; and TSPR News Director Rich Egger.
