Posted on 09/14/2009 12:50:07 AM PDT by Saije
The news media's credibility is sagging along with its revenue.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans think the news stories they read, hear and watch are frequently inaccurate, according to a poll released Sunday by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press. That marks the highest level of skepticism recorded since 1985, when this study of public perceptions of the media was first done.
The poll didn't distinguish between Internet bloggers and reporters employed by newspapers and broadcasters, leaving the definition of "news media" up to each individual who was questioned. The survey polled 1,506 adults on the phone in late July.
The survey found that 63 percent of the respondents thought the information they get from the media was often off base. In Pew Research's previous survey, in 2007, 53 percent of the people expressed that doubt about accuracy.
The findings indicate U.S. newspapers and broadcasters could be alienating the audiences they are struggling to keep as they try to survive financial turmoil. Pew Research didn't attempt to gauge how shrinking newspapers, reduced staffs and other cutbacks at news organizations are affecting people's perceptions, although the reductions probably haven't helped, said Michael Dimock, an associate director for the center.****
The budget squeeze "means facts don't get checked as carefully as they should," according to Bill Keller, executive editor of The New York Times.
But he still believes many media outlets still go to great lengths to get the facts right and own up to their mistakes when the information is wrong.
"The great flood that goes under the heading `news media' has been poisoned by junk blogs, gossip sheets, shout radio and cable-TV partisans that don't deserve to be trusted," Keller told The Associated Press in an e-mail.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
How 'bout tryin' on this hat...? Most news reports today are so biased to the left that you're making Pravda look like the frickin' Wall Street Journal....
Whats Mayor Mike going to do? Nothing
That's always been the case[1]. Maybe there's hope for us after all ...
[1] "frequently" >= 90%, but at least it's a start.
Emailed him again and asked why Mark Sanford’s affair and its political aftermath is worthy of mention here in WNY, but Charlie Rangel’s felonies aren’t. Not expecting a response.
Stay in denial, idiots. When people are polled about the NEWS MEDIA, they aren't talking about bloggers and talk radio, but by all means, keep telling yourselves that's what they might be talking about if it makes you sleep better at night.
Well, in the case of Olberman, Mathews and all the other losers on MSNBC he's right.
If media integrity were water we would be looking at the Sahara desert. They’ve sold their souls and every one knows it, even the left wing loons who continue to support the NY Slimes and the Washington Compost. They have lost touch with the common man and his concerns and have turned into elitist sounding boards for the latest pronouncements of our dear leader. All the while having the audacity to question why their profits are vanishing quicker than an April snow.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans think the news stories they read, hear and watch are frequently inaccurate, according to a poll released Sunday by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
Can attest to that personally.
On Saturday our local newspaper had a photo of myself and several friends holding a flag at a 9/11 ceremony in front of out local court house. It identified us as Sheriffs Deputies. None of us are. Nor were any of us wearing any type of uniform that would indicate that. Nowhere in the accompaning article did it identify us or what organization we were with.
You are right of course.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.