Trust in news hits a new low, research suggests
Trust in news media continues to struggle, with only 28 percent of US adults expressing confidence. While Canadians show higher trust levels at 51 percent, US sentiment remains fractured. Recent data from Pew Research shows a similarly divided public regarding the judiciary, where half of Americans hold an unfavorable opinion of the Supreme Court and roughly as many view it favorably. The Weather Channel remains the most trusted broadcast news source in the US.
What changed
Pew Research reported that favorable views of the Supreme Court remain near a historic low.
Live updates
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Public trust in news remains low as Supreme Court views stall
Trust in news media continues to struggle, with only 28 percent of US adults expressing confidence. While Canadians show higher trust levels at 51 percent, US sentiment remains fractured. Recent data from Pew Research shows a similarly divided public regarding the judiciary, where half of Americans hold an unfavorable opinion of the Supreme Court and roughly as many view it favorably. The Weather Channel remains the most trusted broadcast news source in the US.
Why it matters
Persistent distrust in media and judicial institutions suggests a broader trend of institutional skepticism in the US. These figures provide a baseline for measuring the impact of political polarization on public perception.
What is confirmed
- Half of Americans hold an unfavorable opinion of the Supreme Court.
- Roughly half of Americans view the Supreme Court favorably.
- 28 percent of US adults trust news sources.
- 51 percent of Canadians trust news media.
- The Weather Channel is the most trusted US broadcast news source.
What to watch next
- Updated quarterly trust indices for US and Canadian news media
- New polling on Supreme Court favorability following upcoming term rulings
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Trust in news hits a new low, research suggests
Confidence in news sources remains low, with 28 percent of US adults expressing trust. International trust levels vary, with 51 percent of Canadians trusting news media. The most trusted US broadcast news source is The Weather Channel.
What's confirmed:
- Only 28 percent of US adults express confidence in news sources.
- The Weather Channel is the most trusted US broadcast news source.
- 51 percent of Canadians trust news media.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (8)
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US News Trust Hits 50-Year Low as Global Trends Diverge
Only 28 percent of US adults express confidence in news sources. The Weather Channel is the most trusted US broadcast news source. Trust levels vary internationally, with 51 percent of Canadians trusting news media.
What's confirmed:
- 28 percent of US adults maintain a great deal or fair amount of confidence in news sources.
- The Weather Channel is the most trustworthy broadcasting news source in the United States at 56 percent.
- 51 percent of Canadians trust news media.
Still unconfirmed:
- Australian trust in the US has fallen to a record low.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (7)
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US News Trust Hits Record Low in Gallup Poll
Public confidence in American news media has fallen to the lowest level recorded in over 50 years of research. A recent Gallup poll shows only 28 percent of US adults maintain a great deal or fair amount of confidence in news sources.
What's confirmed:
- A Gallup poll found 28 percent of United States adults have a great deal or a fair amount of confidence in newspapers and television.
- Public trust in American news media has reached the lowest level recorded in more than five decades of survey research.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (4)
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Global News Trust Falls to 37%
Global trust in news has reached an all-time low of about 37%. The US and UK show even lower levels of confidence at roughly 25% and 30% respectively. Audiences are seeking more accessible and relevant reporting while turning toward online video and third-party platforms.
What's confirmed:
- Global trust in news has fallen to about 37%.
- The Reuters Institute reports a decline in news trust.
Still unconfirmed:
- Audiences want news that is more understandable, relevant, and accessible.
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (2)
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Trust in news collapses as social media dominates, Reuters and studies confirm
Global trust in news has fallen to its lowest level since 2015, now at 37%, as audiences shift en masse to social media and podcasts. Traditional news sites are losing ground, while AI-generated content and changing consumption habits further erode credibility. Younger demographics are driving the decline, opting for video and algorithm-driven feeds over established journalism. The Reuters Institute’s latest data underscores the severity of the crisis.
What's confirmed:
- Trust in news worldwide has dropped to 37%, the lowest figure recorded since the Reuters Institute began tracking it in 2015.
- Social media is now the world’s leading source of news, surpassing traditional news sites and print newspapers, according to multiple studies.
- Younger audiences are increasingly turning away from traditional news outlets, favoring online video and social media platforms instead.
- Podcasts are gaining traction as an alternative news source as trust in mainstream media continues to erode.
- The decline in trust coincides with growing concerns over AI-generated content and its impact on the credibility of news.
Still unconfirmed:
- Some Americans are adopting AI-generated news summaries and smart speakers, though overall sentiment toward AI remains negative even among younger users.
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Global trust in news drops to decade low as audiences flee traditional outlets
Trust in news worldwide has plummeted to 37%, the lowest level since 2015, according to new research. Younger audiences are increasingly turning to online video and social media, accelerating the decline of traditional media credibility. The Reuters Institute’s annual data confirms this as the worst trust figure since its 2015 launch. Industry concerns over AI-generated content and shifting consumption habits persist amid the erosion of public faith.
What's confirmed:
- Global trust in news has fallen to 37%, the lowest level recorded since 2015, according to the Reuters Institute’s annual research.
- Audiences are shifting en masse from traditional media to online video and social media platforms.
- The Reuters Institute’s latest figures mark the lowest trust in news since its annual survey began in 2015.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (2)
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Trust in U.S. news plummets to record low of 28%, new poll shows
Public confidence in traditional media—newspapers, television, and radio—has hit a historic low in the U.S., with only 28% of Americans believing outlets report news fully, accurately, and fairly. Younger audiences remain the most skeptical, deepening divisions in media consumption. While some high-profile news organizations retain higher trust than the overall industry average, the trend underscores a broader erosion of credibility. Investor concerns over market shifts, including the rise of AI-driven content, further complicate the media landscape.
What's confirmed:
- Trust in U.S. newspapers, television, and radio to report news fully, accurately, and fairly has fallen to 28%, the lowest level recorded.
- The decline in media trust is concentrated among younger generations, accelerating fragmentation in how audiences consume news.
- Some major national news organizations still exceed the overall trust levels in the mass media, though the gap is narrowing.
Still unconfirmed:
- The Center for Integrity in News Reporting, based in Little Rock, Arkansas, awards $25,000 prizes in print, digital, and cable journalism categories for impartial reporting, though its direct impact on public trust remains unmeasured.
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (3)
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Global trust in news plunges to 11-year low, Reuters Institute finds
Public trust in news has dropped to 37% worldwide, the lowest since 2015, with sharp declines in key markets. Online video and social media now dominate news consumption, while traditional outlets face declining credibility. The shift toward platforms and AI-driven content is reshaping how audiences engage with information. Younger generations show the steepest distrust, accelerating fragmentation in media habits.
What's confirmed:
- Global trust in news stands at 37%, down three points from 2025 and the lowest since annual tracking began in 2015.
- Trust in news in the UK has dropped by five points year-over-year, according to the Reuters Institute’s Digital News Report 2026.
- More people now watch online video news than broadcast TV news, reflecting a major shift in consumption habits.
- Social media and video platforms have surpassed traditional news sources as the primary way people access news.
- The Reuters Institute’s 15th Digital News Report highlights record volatility in trust metrics, with no region showing stable confidence in mainstream media.
Still unconfirmed:
- AI chatbots are increasingly used as news sources, though their role in shaping trust remains unclear.
- Younger audiences rely more on independent creators than established news organizations, though exact engagement figures are not yet published.
- The decline in trust is linked to rising concerns over misinformation, but no single factor has been identified as the primary driver.
confidence 92%Sources used for this update (9)
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