Pew Research Center has an in-depth report on public attitudes about the news media. Although it's not really surprising to note that there is widespread mistrust of the media, I was astonished at just how low the mainstream news is rated by most people.
I mean, how very very low.
The three big broadcast networks have especially taken a beating in the last few years, and are all now considered less reliable than any of the cable news networks--although one bright spot for at least one of the broadcast networks is that 60 Minutes remains, apparently, the most trusted news source of all.
Still, what I find rather heartening is how few people find any news source to be reliable enough to firmly say they believe all or most of what they hear from it. I frankly view it as a good thing, and find it quite reassuring: I've always believed that everyday people tend to think for themselves and question authority much better than many elitists give them credit for. Widespread skepticism, so long as it's not kneejerk, strikes me as a healthy thing.
What's baffling is how many tens of millions of people continue to watch the evening news and claim that it is their main source of information about the world!
Then of course, there's The Daily Show.
What is scariest is that of the people polled, the National Enquirer has 5% who beleives them all the time. And they are trending upwards! Oh, our humanity!
No, guys; what is flabbergasting is that the believability of the news outlets isn't around 90% or so...our news outlets should have a rep of honesty...they clearly do not; I guess all of us have seen just one too many bits of bullshit passed off as hard news...
Generally, I only believe editorials...because the editorialist makes his point of view starkly clear and thus I can understand, on the whole, the worth of the statement being made...plus, unlike regular reporters, editorialists are actually held to a higher standard of accuracy...God help the pundit who allows a fabrication to creep into the opinion piece.
The mainstream news media still has the Bush administration beat on credibility and accuracy. I was wondering when you were going to mention the AP's "Powell: Terrorism Report a 'Big Mistake'" story that came out this week.
Where you been? Mentioned it the other day.
My governing officials are allowed to make mistakes and own up to them. But you know, whatever. Let's all celebrate.
Blogs like this have much more credibility with me than the mass media do. I read the local newspapers if there's something interesting. I haven't watched TV in years.
I watch TV, still... I just never get my news from TV. I don't care to hear the latest on the Peterson or Jackson trials, etc... and if I do, I can flip over to a dozen internet sites.