Trust in journalists at an epic low among adults

Thursday, February 12, 2026

% of Americans who have a great deal of confidence in journalists to act in the best interests of the public All US adults: 6% Republicans: 2% Democrats: 9%

Posted by BellRinger at 05:11 PM | 14 COMMENTS | permalink

Comments

Will they EVER reach a point where they recognize and acknowledge the massive problem they have and engage in serious introspection as how to begin to repair the damage?

#1 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-02-12 05:12 PM

"Will they EVER reach a point where they recognize and acknowledge the massive problem they have and engage in serious introspection as how to begin to repair the damage?"
~Bellringer

What a coincidence.

That's the same stuff people say about you.

#2 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-02-12 05:19 PM

Touche

#3 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-02-12 05:27 PM

The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the dedicated communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction, true and false, no longer exists.
--Hannah Arendt

#4 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-02-12 05:32 PM

The result of a consistent and total substitution of lies for factual truth is not that the lie will now be accepted as truth, and truth be defamed as lie, but that the sense by which we take our bearings in the real world - and the category of truth versus falsehood is among the mental means to this end - is being destroyed.
--Hannah Arendt

#5 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-02-12 05:32 PM

Although tyranny...may successfully rule over foreign peoples, it can stay in power only if it destroys first of all the national institutions of its own people.
--Hannah Arendt

#6 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-02-12 05:33 PM

I mean, let's be serious for a moment: you are a contributor to this.

You claim all the time this is "100% self inflicted", but the truth of the matter is, it takes people like you to either come into a chat room and lie purposely, or to amplify other people's lies with your posts, links, and water-carrying.

A sizable part of the mistrust was part of your goal. Take credit where credit is due. Be a Proud Boy!

#7 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-02-12 05:34 PM

"You claim all the time this is "100% self inflicted""

It is. It's been a trend going back decades.

#8 | Posted by BellRinger at 2026-02-12 05:52 PM

how to begin to repair the damage?
#1 | Posted by BellRinger

And just how should they do that?
If you can't say, then why ask?

#9 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-02-12 05:52 PM

It's been a trend going back decades.
#8 | Posted by BellRinger

Thanks, Capitalism!

#10 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-02-12 05:56 PM

Causing the public not to trust the Media is Fascism 101, and destroying actual journalism in the Press has been a Project25 Republican/Trump Media success... the State becomes the only News.

Journalism has been devalued not only by insipid commercial advertising, but also now by Paywalls and shlock faux-journalism.

It's a Gangster Cult's Paradise.

#11 | Posted by Corky at 2026-02-12 05:57 PM

It's been a trend going back decades.
#8 | Posted by BellRinger

Going back to the decade Rupert Murdoch started Fox News?

Thanks, Capitalism!

#12 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-02-12 05:57 PM

Republican Billionaires: *Buy out MSM*

Jeff: "Will they EVER reach a point where they recognize and acknowledge the massive problem they have and engage in serious introspection as how to begin to repair the damage?"

IRONY

#13 | Posted by Sycophant at 2026-02-12 06:41 PM

Telecommunications Act of 1996.

The radio program this past Saturday spoke about this Act. The host's guest was a radio DJ. He said, music died. Local radio would find local talent. Competition was fierce, but real music talent was found.

Today, he said it's dead.

The consolidation of the industry made media ownership a monopoly.

Did it affect politics?

#14 | Posted by Petrous at 2026-02-12 08:18 PM

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