The huge change comes from Republicans, where the total of 'great deal' and 'fair amount' went from 68 in 1972 to 12 in 2024; and Independents, from 60 to 27. This significant drop in trust contrasts with Democrats, whose reduction has been far less drastic, from 74 to 54, suggesting a divergence in media perception across party lines.
How would any thinking person answer that question about trust in media? Do I average across all the media I consume or all the media I hear about? Does it matter if I'm talking about science or SCOTUS rulings or political campaigns? It’s a complex issue that depends on individual experiences and the type of information consumed, rather than a straightforward statistic.
I don't 'trust' the media in a blanket sense. My confidence varies by source, shaped by verifying citations and trusting reporters whose views I hold in esteem. This cautious approach to media consumption reflects a broader skepticism encouraged by varying standards of reporting in today’s news landscape.
The fall in media trust has been notably severe among Republicans and Independents since 1972, while Democrats' trust has only dropped marginally. This suggests that while some groups may engage with media constructively, others are reacting more intensively to the perceived bias and quality of information.
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