Trust in the Media at Lowest Point Ever

Americans trust in the media has reached a new low.

In 1997, a  Gallup poll showed that 53% of the people had trust in the media. Today, that number has dropped to a shocking 32%. 

If you are sitting in Starbucks, reading this story, look around, if there are 10 people in the place, only 3 of them trust the job you are doing. 

I can assure you, more people trust the guy that made you your morning coffee, than they do you. If the coffee didn't wake you up, that fact sure should have. 

Gallup began asking this question in 1972, and on a yearly basis since 1997. Over the history of the entire trend, Americans' trust and confidence hit its highest point in 1976, at 72%, in the wake of widely lauded examples of investigative journalism regarding Vietnam and the Watergate scandal. After staying in the low to mid-50s through the late 1990s and into the early years of the new century, Americans' trust in the media has fallen slowly and steadily. It has consistently been below a majority level since 2007.

Now, there is no doubt that the number is dropping can be linked to cable news. The partisan reporting has taken a huge hit on the media. 

Also, Donald Trump constantly saying how bad the media is and calling them "the worst" has also been a big factor. According to the poll, Republicans who say they have trust in the media has plummeted to 14% from 32% a year ago. This is easily the lowest confidence among Republicans in 20 years.

Thanks Donald. 

In a surprise to no one, older Americans are more likely than younger Americans to say they trust the media, but trust has declined among both age groups this year. Currently, 26% of those aged 18 to 49 (down from 36% last year) and 38% of those aged 50 and older (down from 45%) say they have a great deal or fair amount of trust in the media.

The bottom line, people have almost lost all faith in the media and it's sad. 

H/T Gallup

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