A significant majority of Americans now express little to no confidence in news organizations to report information fully, fairly, and accurately. Recent surveys indicate a dramatic decline, reaching unprecedented levels. This trend raises questions about the future of journalism and public discourse in the United States.
The current sentiment suggests a broad disillusionment with traditional media outlets. Multiple reports highlight a sharp drop in trust across different demographics and political affiliations. The data prompts an examination of the contributing factors and the potential consequences of this widespread skepticism.
Overview of Declining Trust
Data from various polling organizations paints a clear picture of diminishing public faith in the media.
Gallup's findings from October 2025 show that only 28% of U.S. adults have a "great deal" or "fair amount" of confidence in newspapers, television, and radio to report news accurately. This figure represents a historic low, falling below 30% for the first time.
This low point continues a decades-long trend. In 1972, 68% of Americans expressed similar confidence. By 2024, this number had fallen to 31%, and by 2025, it was down to 28%.
An analysis by Fortune in October 2025 noted that this decline is driven significantly by younger generations and Republicans.
Partisan and Generational Divides
Trust in media appears to be deeply fractured along political and age lines, with particularly stark differences between Republicans and Democrats, and between older and younger Americans.
Read More: The London Standard Shares Daily Photos from Around the World
Republicans exhibit the lowest levels of trust. A Gallup poll in October 2025 reported that only 2% of Republicans had a great deal of confidence in journalists. Another report from Semafor in October 2025 indicated that confidence among Republicans was even lower, at 8%, while Democrats showed 51% confidence, and independents 27%.
Democrats, while expressing more trust than Republicans, also show declining confidence. Pew Research Center data from October 2025 indicates that Democrats (including leaners) are more likely than Republicans to trust national and local news organizations. However, Gallup's October 2025 data shows that even Democrats are at a low point for confidence.
Younger Americans, specifically Gen Z and Millennials, appear to be less trusting of traditional media. Fortune noted in October 2025 that these groups are driving the decline. Emerson College Polling data from May 2025 highlights that social media or YouTube is the primary news source for 37% of Americans, and 64% of those under 30.
Trust in Local vs. National News
While trust in media overall is low, there's a discernible difference in confidence levels between local and national news organizations.
Read More: Big Immigration Operation in Minnesota Ends After Many Arrests and Two Deaths
Pew Research Center data from October 2025 indicates that trust in local news organizations remains higher than trust in national news organizations across all age groups.
For instance, half of Republicans aged 65 and older trust information from national news media, but older age groups are more likely to trust national news organizations than social media.
A Statista infographic from June 2025, referencing Gallup, shows a 28-percentage-point trust gap for national news outlets between Democrats and Republicans. However, the gap for local news outlets was smaller, at 12 percentage points, with Democratic-leaning voters showing higher trust (87%) than Republicans (75%).
Perceptions and Criticisms of Media
The decline in trust is often linked to perceptions of bias, inaccuracy, and partisan reporting.
One article from Twitchy.com (February 2026) asserts that the "mainstream media continues to deflect, gaslight, spin, and lie about President Trump, his administration, and conservatives, all while carrying water for the Democrats." This sentiment suggests a belief among some that media outlets actively work against certain political viewpoints.
The same article points to a Gallup tweet from John Gramlich in February 2026 displaying confidence levels in journalists to act in the public's best interest: 6% for all U.S. adults, 2% for Republicans, and 9% for Democrats. The article sarcastically comments, "Give yourselves a hand, 'journalists'!"
Semafor's October 2025 report links the declining trust to President Donald Trump's attacks on outlets and reporters, suggesting that such actions, combined with public skepticism, are contributing to a "moment of crisis" for traditional journalism.
Expert Analysis and Future Outlook
Polling organizations and analysts offer insights into the reasons behind the trust deficit and the challenges ahead.
Read More: Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Immigration Comments Cause Anger
Gallup's analysis in October 2025 expresses pessimism about a recovery, stating that "With confidence fractured along partisan and generational lines, the challenge for news organizations is not only to deliver fair and accurate reporting but also to regain credibility across an increasingly polarized and skeptical public."
Emerson College Polling noted in May 2025 that "Despite being the least trusted source, social media or YouTube is the main news source for 37% of Americans—and 64% of those under 30." This indicates a significant shift in how people, especially younger demographics, consume news.
Pew Research Center's topic page on trust in media (updated August 2025) notes the complicated relationship Americans have with news, observing that "Most people believe Americans have a civic responsibility to be informed when they vote. But far fewer say regularly following news is extremely or very important." This suggests a potential disconnect between the perceived importance of being informed and the active engagement with news sources.
Conclusion
The evidence strongly suggests that Americans' confidence in traditional news media has eroded to historic lows. This decline is not uniform, exhibiting significant rifts along partisan and generational lines. Republicans, in particular, show exceptionally low levels of trust, while younger demographics are increasingly turning to alternative sources like social media. Although local news enjoys comparatively higher trust, the overall trend indicates a deep-seated skepticism towards established journalistic institutions.
Read More: New Files Show Epstein Tried to Meet Putin and Russian Leaders
The future of media trust remains uncertain. Analysts suggest that regaining credibility will require not only accurate reporting but also efforts to bridge partisan divides and appeal to a more diverse and skeptical audience. The ongoing reliance on social media as a primary news source for a substantial portion of the population, especially younger individuals, further complicates the landscape for traditional journalism. The data indicates that traditional media faces a substantial challenge in rebuilding its standing and re-establishing a reliable connection with the public.
Sources:
Twitchy.com: https://twitchy.com/dougp/2026/02/12/take-a-bow-percentage-of-americans-who-have-trust-in-media-nears-the-end-of-its-death-spiral-n2424944
Context: This article provides a critical perspective on media coverage, linking it to political commentary and using social media data to illustrate declining trust, particularly among Republicans.
Pew Research Center: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/10/29/how-americans-trust-in-information-from-news-organizations-and-social-media-sites-has-changed-over-time/
Context: This report details changes in American trust in news and social media over time, offering a demographic breakdown of trust levels and highlighting differences between local and national news.
Gallup: https://news.gallup.com/poll/695762/trust-media-new-low.aspx
Context: This is a primary source reporting on Gallup's findings regarding the record low trust in mass media, detailing historical trends and partisan differences.
Fortune: https://fortune.com/2025/10/02/gen-z-millennials-republicans-distrust-media-gallup-institutions-poll/
Context: This article analyzes the Gallup poll data, focusing on the demographic groups driving the decline in media trust, including Gen Z, millennials, and Republicans, and discusses the historical context of this trend.
Semafor: https://www.semafor.com/article/10/01/2025/americans-trust-in-media-hits-new-low-poll-finds
Context: This report on the Gallup polling data emphasizes the record low trust in mass media and discusses potential contributing factors, such as political attacks and the rise of alternative media forms.
Emerson College Polling: https://emersoncollegepolling.com/2025-national-media-poll/
Context: This poll provides data on news consumption habits, including the reliance on social media as a news source, particularly among younger demographics, and touches upon trust in various information platforms.
Pew Research Center (Topic Page): https://www.pewresearch.org/topic/news-habits-media/media-society/media-attitudes/trust-in-media/
Context: This page aggregates Pew Research Center's work on media attitudes and trust, offering a broader perspective on Americans' relationship with news and information.
Statista: https://www.statista.com/chart/34564/us-adults-who-do-do-not-have-trust-in-the-information-they-get-from-news-organizations/
Context: This visual representation of data, referencing Gallup, highlights the declining trust in news organizations and illustrates the trust gap between Democrats and Republicans for both national and local news.
Read More: El Paso Airspace Closed Briefly for Security, Then Reopened
