Video•Apr 17, 2026
Do Americans Trust Journalists?
The Pew Research Center released a new analysis examining how Americans view journalists and the news media.
The survey finds that 57% of U.S. adults have little or no confidence that journalists act in the public’s best interest. Confidence splits sharply along party lines: roughly 60% of Democrats say they trust journalists, compared with only about 25% of Republicans, a gap that has persisted for years.
In focus‑group interviews, participants described a need to “take things with a grain of salt,” emphasizing source verification and the overwhelming volume of information. Respondents noted that the constantly evolving media environment forces them to scrutinize motives and credibility themselves.
The findings suggest that journalists cannot rely on assumed legitimacy; rebuilding trust will require transparent practices and proactive engagement with a skeptical, information‑saturated public.
