A slim majority of Americans have confidence in local journalists
Core finding
In a Verasight survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted March 6 to 16, 2026, 56% of Americans said they have at least a fair amount of confidence in journalists who work for local news outlets to act in the best interests of the public. This includes 45% who said a fair amount and 11% who said a great deal.
About four-in-ten said they have not too much or no confidence in local journalists (44%), with 28% who said not too much and 16% who said no confidence at all.
Topline scale
56% of Americans have at least a fair amount of confidence in local journalists.
How much confidence, if any, do you have in journalists who work for local news outlets to act in the best interests of the public?
n = 1,000 · Mar 6–16, 2026 · MoE ±3.5%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | US adults age 18+ |
| Field dates | Mar 6–16, 2026 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.5% |
| Module | Module 5: Health, Community, & Personal Values |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- reports.verasight.io/r/omnibus-2026-044
How much confidence, if any, do you have in journalists who work for local news outlets to act in the best interests of the public?
Cite this question
Verasight Client Omnibus Survey #2026-044, fielded March 6-16, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.5%.