Seventy-seven percent of Americans believe television networks and newspapers report fake news, compared to 21 percent who do not, a new Monmouth University poll reveals.
The poll also found that Americans trust CNN, Fox News and MSNBC more than they do President Donald Trump.
Here is how the poll breaks down:
- 31 percent say major news sources like TV and newspapers regularly report fake news; 46 percent say the news sources occasionally report fake news and 21 percent say the news sources do not report fake news.
- 42 percent say the news sources report fake news stories intentionally to push an agenda, while 26 percent say it is by accident or because of poor fact checking. And 21 percent do not believe the media reports fake news.
- 48 percent say they trust CNN more than Trump, compared to 35 percent who trust the president more. Thirteen percent trust both equally.
- 30 percent trust Fox News more than Trump, while 20 percent trust the president more. Thirty-seven percent trust both equally.
- 45 percent trust MSNBC more than the president, compared to 32 percent who trust Trump more. Sixteen percent trust both sides equally.
- 52 percent believe online news websites regularly report fake news; 34 percent say the websites occasionally report fake news and 9 percent say online sites do not report fake news.
"These findings are troubling, no matter how you define 'fake news.' Confidence in an independent fourth estate is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy," said Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute
"Ours appears to be headed for the intensive care unit."
The poll, conducted March 2-5, surveyed 803 adults. The margin of error is plus or minuse 3.5 percent.
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