Americans don’t trust the news. But they can’t stop consuming it.
- 1 day ago
- 1 min read
That’s the paradox shaping public opinion right now.
Just 28% trust mass media to report the news fully and fairly (Gallup)
Yet 53% still get news from social media (Pew Research Center)
And among younger Americans, nearly 40% get news from influencers (Pew Research Center)
So what’s actually happening?
Americans haven’t disengaged. They’ve adapted.
They consume information from sources they don’t trust…and then verify it across multiple sources.
This is the shift: From trusting institutions → to trusting process
People are no longer asking:“Do I trust this outlet?”
They’re asking:“Can I confirm this somewhere else?”
That has real implications:
There is no longer a single gatekeeper of truth
Credibility is earned at the story level, not the brand level
The “middle” is not tuning out – they’re searching
Bottom line:The opportunity isn’t more content.
It’s credible, verifiable, independent information that earns trust in real time.
Don't go in blind. If you’d like to explore how public attitudes shaping your region, audience or issue, I’m happy to help.
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