One-third of Americans feel positive about media representation

Feb 28 – Mar 6, 2025 · n = 1,000 · MoE ±3.5%Source report ↗

Core finding

In a Verasight survey of 1,000 U.S. adults conducted Feb. 28 to March 6, 2025, 35% of Americans said they feel positive about the portrayal of media characters who look like them, while 18% said they feel negative.

Nearly half said they feel neutral (47%). Positive views break down as 15% somewhat positive, 16% positive, and 4% extremely positive; negative views as 9% somewhat negative, 6% negative, and 3% extremely negative.

Topline scale

35% of Americans feel positive about portrayals of characters who look like them; 18% feel negative.

How do you feel about the portrayal of media characters that look like you?

Neutral
47.2%
Positive
15.6%
Somewhat positive
15.3%
Somewhat negative
8.8%
Negative
5.7%
Extremely positive
4.3%
Extremely negative
3.1%

n = 1,000 · Feb 28 – Mar 6, 2025 · MoE ±3.5%

Net findings combine adjacent response options from the same scale.
ModeVerasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
PopulationUnited States adults
Field datesFeb 28 – Mar 6, 2025
Base (unweighted)1,000
Margin of error±3.5%
Moduleidentity
SponsorVerasight
Weight variableweight
Weighting targetsage, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

Sources

  1. 01

    How do you feel about the portrayal of media characters that look like you?

    verasight-spsp-2025.tiiny.co

Cite this question

Verasight SPSP Omnibus Survey #2025-010, fielded February 28-March 6, 2025, N=1,000 United States adults, +/- 3.5%.