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Monday, October 3rd, 2016

Voters Don’t Trust Media Fact-Checking

Author:    
Source:     Rasmussen Reports
Publication Date:     Friday, September 30, 2016
 Link: Voters Don’t Trust Media Fact-Checking
Stephan:   A democracy cannot function properly without an effective media that citizens trust. I make this point because as you read this survey I want you to share my sense of alarm. This Rasmussen poll is a wake up call.
Houston Chronicle printing press Credit: www.britannica.com

Houston Chronicle printing press
Credit: www.britannica.com

Most voters believe news organizations play favorites when it comes to fact-checking candidates’ statements, but this skepticism is much stronger among voters who support Donald Trump than those who back his rival Hillary Clinton.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that just 29% of all Likely U.S. Voters trust media fact-checking of candidates’ comments. Sixty-two percent (62%) believe instead that news organizations skew the facts to help candidates they support. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Eighty-eight percent (88%) of voters who support Trump in the presidential race believe news organizations skew the facts, while most Clinton backers (59%) trust media fact-checking. Among the supporters of Libertarian Gary Johnson and Green Party candidate Jill Stein, sizable majorities also don’t trust media fact-checking.

These findings are no surprise given that voters think it’s far more likely reporters will try to help Clinton than Trump this election season.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it’s in the news, it’s in our polls).  Rasmussen Reports updates are also available […]

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2 Comments

  1. Steven K Hovland on Monday, October 3, 2016 at 6:53 am

    The fault is with the media, not with the people.

  2. LJMurphy on Monday, October 3, 2016 at 8:25 am

    I agree about the problem with the media. Where were they 18/24 months ago when Trump started the lying movement with cruel remarks? At the age of 70 to say such cruel things shows there is no soul there.