The news just keeps getting worse for old-fashioned media outlets that disseminate news: more and more people are turning away from them and relying instead on the Internet for information.
Such was the conclusion of a new We Media/Zogby Interactive poll released Wednesday.
As reported by Reuters (emphasis added throughout):
Nearly 70 percent of Americans believe traditional journalism is out of touch, and nearly half are turning to the Internet to get their news, according to a new survey.
While most people think journalism is important to the quality of life, 64 percent are dissatisfied with the quality of journalism in their communities, a We Media/Zogby Interactive online poll showed.
Fascinating, yes? But there's more:
Nearly half of the 1,979 people who responded to the survey said their primary source of news and information is the Internet, up from 40 percent just a year ago. Less than one third use television to get their news, while 11 percent turn to radio and 10 percent to newspapers.
More than half of those who grew up with the Internet, those 18 to 29, get most of their news and information online, compared to 35 percent of people 65 and older. Older adults are the only group that favors a primary news source other than the Internet, with 38 percent selecting television.
Some other interesting findings of the poll not reported by Reuters:
Web sites are regarded as a more important source of news and information than traditional media outlets - 86% of Americans said Web sites were an important source of news, with more than half (56%) who view these sites as very important. Most also view television (77%), radio (74%), and newspapers (70%) as important sources of news, although fewer than say the same about blogs (38%).
The poll also found that Republicans are more skeptical about traditional media sources than Democrats:
Republicans (79%) and political independents (75%) are most likely to feel disenchanted with conventional journalism, but the online survey found 50% of Democrats also expressed similar concerns. Those who identify themselves as "very conservative" were among the most dissatisfied, with 89% who view traditional journalism as out of touch.
This should come as no great surprise. After all, as traditional media sources are regularly parroting Democrat talking points as they bash all things Republican, it goes without saying that those on the left would be more trusting of what's being reported.
Yet, there's a side of this that Reuters ignored: this was an online poll. Should it be at all shocking that folks taking an interactive online poll are more trusting of Internet news sources?
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
The American people are
March 1, 2008 - 11:49 ET by NewsbusterbrownThe American people are big, fat stupids!
- The MSM
MSM reply to the poll:
March 1, 2008 - 11:56 ET by motherbeltMSM reply to the poll: Right. Like they know what's going on!
Update: GMTA, newsbusterbrown! I just saw yours! LOL
It's a cliche, motherbelt,
March 1, 2008 - 12:29 ET by NewsbusterbrownIt's a cliche, motherbelt, but: great minds think alike. :-D
I Have a Dream . . .
March 1, 2008 - 12:53 ET by JayTeeIt would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment.
This sweltering winter of the America's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating Spring of Truth in Reporting and neutrality of broadcasts. And those who hope that Americans needed to blow off steam and will now be content, will have a rude awakening if the Main Stream Media returns to business as usual. And there will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until Every American regains his citizenship rights of a free press, an Honest newspaper headline, and a Truthful Journalist without un-disclosed Sources. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of TRUTH in REPORTING in the Media emerges.
I have a dream that one day even the New York Times, a Paper of half baked Journalist and Editors sweltering with the heat of Biased lies and injustice, sweltering with the Sins of omission and undisclosed sources, will be transformed into an oasis of Truthful reporting and un-Biased commentary.
I have a dream that one day soon, the MSM will realize that America has moved on to the New Media, that America has gone LARGE with the Drudge Report, that Americans are signed in, logged on, and Surfing the Internet for Real News, for truthful news, for news that Olberman and friends of Baher can't seem to find worthy of broadcasting.
All over America, Americans are Tuned in to Talk Radio while waiting for the Red lights on all the Martin Luther King Blvds over this Great land, because Americans want to know what the Bureaucrats on Pennsylvania Avenue have planned for our Future, we want to know what Washington Compost isn’t telling us, we want to know the sources of Lies coming from the New York Time’s undisclosed sources, we thirst for what the USA Today isn’t telling us, and we keep wondering why the Heck Al Gore won a Nobel Peace Prize.
What’s up with That, Dude ?!
NB Brothers and Sisters!
March 1, 2008 - 12:55 ET by drillanwrCan I get a "DUHHHHH!"
"Praise the NB's lords!"
When you men get home and face an anti-war protestor, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend because she knows she’s dating a pussy… ~ Attributed to General Tommy Franks
Old Media Perception
March 1, 2008 - 13:13 ET by HG AbrahamsonTalk about timing..See articles by "alledged WaPo Journalists" this morning by Broder on the Beasts "Nobility"
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=289175066151195
And Capeharts piece on how "difficult" it is for the well intentioned Grifters to comply with FOI requests for documents from the "clampitt liberry" about the beasts "experience" in the WH
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/29/AR2008022902989.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
These folks are well on their way out of business. Thank God!
Difference of opinion is what makes a horse race.
The MSM looovveees to
March 1, 2008 - 13:37 ET by JerryThe MSM looovveees to report on poll results and treats them as Gospel. For some reason, I don't think this one will be getting much air time.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Prediction...
March 1, 2008 - 13:55 ET by c5thenThe MSM will come out with a poll of the "nutroots" from Daily Kos and similar sites that claim the MSM is "too conservative". They will use the two conflicting polls to claim that this means they are "just right".
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
Proof
March 1, 2008 - 14:45 ET by KC MulvilleI must say, Noel, you cheered my heart with your last comment. As I was reading, it triggered my long-held conviction that the best way to improve journalism is to improve the reader. The general public needs to be skeptical about what they read, and to take everything with a grain of salt. No one should read anything in the public arena without a healthy dose of skpeticism.
But then, at the end, you included a note of skepticism about the media poll, even though it agreed with you. Exactly! You were doing precisely what good readers do. You questioned, not just others, but you also questioned yourself. It just struck me, probably because we see so little self-reflection out there.
So I thought, that's why the new media has a chance. The old media is a business, and normal reporters out there have to sell their stories to editors. They can't afford to acknowledge subjectivity. The rules have fossilized in the old media. But in the new media, the rules have changed. Reporters and commentators can freely question everything, including themselves, and I think that makes for a more honest relationship with their readers.
Well done!
Almost 70% Believe
March 1, 2008 - 22:41 ET by general companyAlmost 70% Believe Traditional Media Out of Touch With Their News Needs
Thank goodness, every day I am more convinced that the American people are mostly on top of things.
"Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest". Mark Twain
"every day I am more
March 2, 2008 - 23:43 ET by Jerry"every day I am more convinced that the American people are mostly on top of things..."
But then you see an Obama Hussein rally full of fainters and swooners and you begin to wonder...
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
FEA
March 1, 2008 - 15:19 ET by acumenIt is incumbent upon the demedia to defend their relevance by bringing back Dan Rather to challenge the validity of this report.
Rather learned
March 1, 2008 - 15:29 ET by Mica the MagnificentDan will show documented proof that the current polls really show the MSM is trusted more than the internet.
Those documents will be on yellowed paper and typed on a 1973 IBM Selectra, so he can't be accused to faking it this time.
Mica....and Drudge will
March 1, 2008 - 15:45 ET by JayTeeAnd Drudge will expose Dan Rather, with receipts showing Dan Rather's Credit card was tied to the E-Bay purchase of a 1973 Selectric typewriter 1 week before the Documents were produced.
It's a Viscous circle, that only TRUTH in reporting can change.
This poll and all the great
March 1, 2008 - 17:00 ET by bigtimerThis poll and all the great information in my eyes are exactly why I fear some kind of govt. control eventually by the dems and a few RINO's to get their sticky fingers in here and control what can and cannot be seen and heard....especially real opinions by others.
In one way this is great news for me...in another, I fear the loss of freedom as time goes by with the internet.
So, who are the 50% of the dems who are disenchanted with
March 1, 2008 - 17:46 ET by R D HelmSo, who are the 50% of the dems who are "disenchanted" with the MSM. It has to be the Kos kids, right?
John McCain is a liberal. He said so himself.
Only 70%? I am astonished
March 1, 2008 - 18:05 ET by ConservativeRexOnly 70%? I am astonished it's that low. The one thing that makes me laugh is they know how to fix their problems. It would be a permanent fix. Change their ideology. Simply as that. Be more concerned with the country they make a living in, all the good we do and have done. And report what is in the best interest of Americans.
They absolutely refuse to do so. And they are slowly dying on the vine. They all are becoming PRAVDA and the TASS new agency. Good riddance. Someone with some sense will come along and write/edit a worthwhile newspaper/magazine and will be making money hand over fist.
What they don't mention is the internet news
March 1, 2008 - 18:36 ET by YahooWatcheris being reported by the same bunch of out-of-touch, nut-job leftists that are in the "old school media." Where do they think these respondents are getting their info? It's still the NYT, AP, NBC, and other assorted left leaning organizations. Here’s a typical Yahoo featured news story. It’s on their home page right now (3/1/08, 5:30PM ET)
In fight against foreclosures, activists tackle Countrywide
If I was Mike Garmone, someone "Activist", a.k.a. criminal, would have been missing teeth after this deal.
yes sir
March 2, 2008 - 09:20 ET by JWFInternet new comes from the same sources.
What they are losing is the tone. Poorly researched and outright lies masquerading as news is quickly producing much more blowback. And it is focused blowback by people that actually know what they are talking about.
Example: the none story when Obama claimed our guys were stealing weapons from the Taliban to continue the fight.
From non msm sources, (blog,link,link,link,link) we learned: He had the wrong rank leading a platoon. Platoons are never split up between theatres. It was a light infantry platoon. They do not have much in the way of vehicles or heavy armor in the first place. Congress pays for guns and bullets, not Presidents. This was a complaint that was 4 years old , yet the Senator from CONGRESS voted against the funding when they had the big fight over funding last year. Finally, if it were true, it shows our troops ability to adapt and overcome. They were able to kill Taliban with little in the way of weapons and use the weapons they gained AGAINST THE ENEMY! These are the kind of guys I want in my army.
I will rip off your arm and beat you with it!