Local TV and radio seen as most trustworthy media

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When it comes to getting accurate and fair news reporting, far more Americans trust the media than not (although few are highly trustful). At the top of the list of seven news sources in a recent Harris Poll are local television with 73% and radio with 69%. Internet and local newspaper news also rated a 69% score.


Local television also did best among those who trust a particular medium a lot. 22% isn’t much, but none of the other six media managed to get past 18%.

Network television was most mistrusted of the group, at 35%, and national newspapers were close behind with a 34% score.

News medium Net trust A lot Some Net mistrust Not much None Not sure
Local TV 73% 22% 51% 23% 17% 6% 4%
Radio 69% 14% 55% 25% 19% 7% 6%
Internet news/info 69% 14% 55% 26% 19% 7% 5%
Local Newspaper 69% 18% 51% 27% 19% 8% 4%
Cable TV 64% 15% 49% 30% 21% 9% 6%
Network TV 61% 15% 46% 35% 20% 15% 4%
National newspapers 60% 16% 45% 34% 22% 12% 6%
Source: The Harris Poll

Age absolutely makes a difference – Boomers tend to have the greatest amount of trust in the media, with the notable exception of national newspapers; and Echo Boomers the least, and in their case, its lack of trust gets a great big exclamation point when cable is mentioned. At the other end of the age spectrum, Matures are most likely to trust cable news operations.

News medium Net trust Echo Gen X Boomer Mature
Local TV 73% 68% 77% 77% 72%
Radio 69% 65% 71% 73% 67%
Internet news/info 69% 66% 68% 73% 66%
Local Newspaper 69% 67% 70% 72% 63%
Cable TV 64% 56% 68% 67% 71%
Network TV 61% 62% 57% 63% 59%
National newspapers 60% 64% 58% 51% 52%
Source: The Harris Poll

When it comes to party affiliation, Democrats are by far the most trusting of the news, by a wide margin. Republicans and independents rated five of the seven media similarly, but a wide chasm develops when national TV and national networks come up – independents score them slightly less than other media, but the trust of Republicans evaporates significantly.

News medium Net trust Rep Dem Ind      
Local TV 73% 70% 83% 72%  
Radio 69% 72% 74% 66%  
Internet news/info 69% 66% 78% 66%  
Local Newspaper 69% 62% 82% 67%  
Cable TV 64% 64% 72% 62%  
Network TV 61% 47% 79% 61%  
National newspapers 60% 46% 77% 60%  
Source: The Harris Poll