Gallup Poll: Trust in Media Falls to Record-Low 31%, Now Least-Trusted Institution

Oct 15, 2024, 02:48 PM

A new Gallup poll reveals that Americans' trust in the mass media has fallen to a record low ahead of the upcoming presidential election. Only 31% of U.S. adults say they have a great deal or fair amount of confidence in the media to report the news fully, accurately, and fairly—the lowest level recorded since Gallup began measuring trust in media in 1972. For the third consecutive year, more Americans express no trust at all (36%) in the media than express a great deal or fair amount of trust. Overall, 69% of Americans have little or no trust in the media. Trust in media is now lower than trust in Congress, the Supreme Court, local and state governments, and the executive branch, making it the least-trusted civic and political institution surveyed by Gallup. The decline is particularly notable among young adults aged 18 to 29, with only 26% expressing confidence—a record low. Trust has also declined among Democrats, with only 54% expressing trust, and among Independents, reaching a record low of 27%. The findings underscore a growing partisan divide and a general erosion of confidence in the media across the political spectrum.