Mainstream Media: The Necessary Evil

Interesting poll from Pew Research. Extensive data on use and perceptions of the U.S. news medium and social media:

Negative opinions about the performance of news organizations now equal or surpass all-time highs on nine of 12 core measures the Pew Research Center has been tracking since 1985. However, these bleak findings are put into some perspective by the fact that news organizations are more trusted sources of information than are many other institutions, including government and business.

Other contrasting headlines:

Broad Criticism of Press Performance

Press More Trusted Than Government, Business

Most Say News Organizations Are Highly Professional

Media Trusted More than Other Sources

TV Still Top News Source (66% to the Internet’s 43%)

More See Press Hurting Democracy
Most Want News with No Political Point of View