Americans’ trust in the media and Congress has hit a historic low, according to a new Gallup poll, while confidence in local government remains significantly higher. The poll highlights a deep partisan divide, with Republicans expressing particularly low confidence in the media.
According to the survey, only 31% of Americans trust mass media to report news fully, accurately and fairly, making it the least trusted civic institution.
By comparison, 67% of respondents say they trust their local government, and 34% express trust in Congress.
The survey also shows that only 12% of Republicans trust the media, compared to 54% of Democrats and 27% of Independents.
Media trust saw a slight rebound after falling to 32% in 2016, but the latest numbers suggest any recovery has evaporated. The implications of this declining trust remain unclear, though it points to growing demand for transparency and accountability in national institutions.
