While alternative media is growing, the general public is losing confidence in the mainstream media with respondents believing news reports are biased and inaccurate.
A new Pew Research Center survey of 1,506 respondents suggests the general public is losing confidence and trust in the mainstream media between both Democrats and Republicans, according to
New York Times.
A total of 63 per cent of respondents believe news articles were mostly inaccurate, but only 29 per cent say the news media get the facts straight. The study further shows that 74 per cent believe news organizations have biased reporting and favor one side. The same amount also think special interests often influence news reports.
Negative views regarding news organizations were pretty much even between Democrats and Republicans. H however, just slightly more towards the Democratic side. When Democrats were asked about
CNN and
MSNBC, they tend to view them much more favorably than the Republicans. While the Republicans tended to view
Fox News on a favorable manner.
People are even turning toward “fake news shows” such as the
Daily Show with Jon Stewart or the
Colbert Report.
A 2004 poll by
Declare Yourself, showed that 16 per cent of 18 to 29 respondents watch the
Daily Show rather than other programs like
ABC’s Brian Jennings.
