2026 Survey Results: The Role of News in Democracy
The public has a clear view of what the news should be.
These 2026 survey results reveal a gap between expectation and experience—and that gap is where trust is shaped.
What the Data Reveals
The deeper story lies in how people view performance, trust, and expectations.
Views on News and Democracy Move Together – Public perceptions of the news media closely track how people view the health of democracy.
Expectations for News Are Clear –People have a clear and consistent view of what journalism should deliver: accuracy, fairness, credible sources, and multiple perspectives.
Performance Falls Short-Many respondents say the news media is only somewhat effective at informing the public, with a significant share saying it does not perform well.
The Opportunity Is Clear-Audiences want less agenda, less negativity, and more explanation, context, and substance.
Critical Gaps -The public sees critical gaps in the news media’s performance, standards, practices, and reputation.