Staff Reports
A recent poll conducted by the American Press Institute and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research revealed that more than half of Americans (53 percent) are extremely or very concerned about news organizations reporting inaccurate information during the election. Another 30 percent said it is an issue they are somewhat concerned about. Additionally, the poll found that only 14 percent of respondents have a great deal of confidence in election-related information they receive from national sources, and only 11 percent feel the same about local media.
Looking to Unify America? Vast Majority of Americans Distrust News Media on Every Level – Report via @WestJournalism https://t.co/QaSQwFBOlN
— WhiteNoise🇺🇸HalB🇺🇸 (@ObsoleteAndSane) May 6, 2024
The concern over misinformation is not unfounded, as the 2016 and 2020 elections saw both sides accusing each other of reporting false information. The rise of artificial intelligence technology has also raised worries, with 42 percent of respondents expressing extreme or very concern about how AI can be negatively harnessed to spread misinformation.
The distrust of established media is understandable, as there are concerns about news organizations ignoring or downplaying important stories and potential bias in reporting. However, the abundance of media outlets today provides opportunities for individuals to vet different sources and find ones they trust. It’s important to be aware of biases and avoid falling into an echo chamber.
