Few Americans think news coverage often reflects what's really happening
Core finding
Relatively few Americans think news coverage regularly captures what's happening on the ground. Just 21% say it reflects reality most of the time, and 6% say all of the time, according to an April 2023 Verasight survey.
The largest share (38%) say coverage reflects reality only sometimes. About a quarter (26%) say it rarely does so, though accurately on occasion, and 10% say it never does.
Topline distribution
Few Americans think news coverage often reflects what's really happening.
How much do you think news coverage in America accurately represents current situations on the ground?
n = 1,000 · Apr 19–27, 2023 · MoE ±3.6%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | United States adults who completed both waves of the survey |
| Field dates | Apr 19–27, 2023 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.6% |
| Module | MPSA 2023 Omnibus Survey #2023-032 |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- verasight-mpsa-2023.tiiny.co
How much do you think news coverage in America accurately represents current situations on the ground?
Cite this question
MPSA 2023 Omnibus Survey #2023-032, fielded April 19-27, 2023, N=1,000 United States adults who completed both waves of the survey, +/- 3.6%.