In our fast-paced society, where information is readily available with just a touch of a button, listening to or reading the news has evolved to become a daily habit for millions of Americans. However, the sources from which individuals receive their news significantly vary and, intriguingly, are not consistently the ones they trust the most.
Pew Research Center has conducted thorough research on American news consumption. According to their findings, it seems, on the surface, many Americans choose to receive news from TV and social media primarily. Behind the scenes, though, it’s a bit more complicated than this.
In this technologically advanced era, the supremacy of television as the key source of news is not surprising, worth noting that 42% of American adults reportedly turn to TV for news ‘often.’ However, it is interesting to consider that this data includes both cable and local news, with 16% of Americans ‘frequently’ sourcing their news from local TV and 14% from cable TV.
Another crucial finding is the reigning popularity of social media platforms in disseminating news. Around 28-29% of American adults reportedly depend on these channels to stay up-to-date, with Facebook leading the way as the social media platform most often used for news.
However, where people gather their news is not the same as the places they trust most for info. Despite its resounding popularity, social media platforms are not universally trusted sources of news, with only 24% of Americans expressing ‘a lot’ of trust in information gleaned from these sites.
In contrast, television, particularly local stations, has a higher level of public trust, commanding the loyalty of 41% of Americans who report having ‘a lot’ of trust in its news content. Despite the wide reach of cable news, it is perceived as more polarizing. Only around 30% of adults expressed that they trust the news obtained from these platforms a lot.
But more interesting is the discrepancy between trust and usage in radio and news websites or apps. Radio news, for instance, is a trusted resource for 38% of Americans, but the number that ‘often’ go for it as a news source stands at 26%. A similar discrepancy is seen in the case of news websites and apps – despite the 40% trust they command, only one third of Americans use them as a regular news source.
Meanwhile, print media, though facing challenges in the new digital era, still holds a warm place in people’s trust, with 35% of Americans expressing considerable trust in the news they provide. However, it is left behind in usage, where only 20% of adults often turn to these platforms for news.
In conclusion, this exploration of the research data confirms a fascinating disjunction in American news consumption. Where Americans get their news does not always align with the sources they trust most. Understanding why that divide exists could hold valuable insights for journalistic outlets and aid in strengthening the relationship between the public and the media in an era when trust in news is more crucial than ever.