In May 2005, Gannett's First Amendment Center in Nashville polled Americans about their attitudes towards the media. Some exclusive results were published in the August/September 2005 edition of the American Journalism Review. The article by senior writer Rachel Smolkin revealed that nearly two-thirds (64%) reject the notion that 'the news media try to report the news without bias,' and nearly the same number (65%) agreed that 'the falsifying or making up of stories in the American news media is a widespread problem.'
KEY FINDINGS:
When read the statement, 'Overall, the news media tries to report the news without bias,' 64 percent disagreed (42% saying they disagreed strongly, 22 percent saying they mildly disagreed.) Only 13 percent strongly agreed that the media attempt to keep bias out of the news.
When told 'The falsifying or making up of stories in the American news media is a widespread problem,' 40 percent strongly agreed and an additional 25 percent mildly agreed. Just 11 percent strongly disagreed.
Previous: Exhibit 2-8: Missouri School of Journalism 2004
Next: Exhibit 2-10: CBS's "State of the Media," 2006