Here’s something NOT covered in weekend newspapers or television news: Americans continue to express near-record low confidence in news via print or air with only one fourth of Americans saying they have a “great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in either, notes Grumpy Editor.
That’s the finding from a just-released Gallup annual confidence in institutions survey conducted July 8 to 11.
Newspapers rate slightly higher (at 25 percent) than television news (22 percent) in “great deal” or “quite a bit” of confidence.
That represents a drop from 39 percent in 1990 for newspapers and 46 percent for TV news in 1993.
Gallup notes, “It is clear the media as a whole are not gaining new fans as they struggle to serve and compete with growing demand for online news, social media and mobile platforms.”
The survey also notes “confidence is hard to find even among Democrats and liberals who have historically been the most trusting of the news media.”
Gallup points out “Americans’ low trust in newspapers and television news presents a critical barrier to success.”
It adds, “So long as roughly three in four Americans remain distrustful, it will be difficult to attract the large and loyal audiences necessary to boost revenues.”
One way to improve the situation: Newspaper publishers and editors along with TV news directors and on-air talent should huddle and map courses stressing information-packed, opinionless coverage --- and not forgetting fact checking before going to print or airborne.
Comments