A new study found that journalists are among the most distrusted groups in the world.
The Edelman Trust Barometer found that over two-thirds of respondents worried that journalists and reporters are “purposely trying to mislead people by saying things they know are false or gross exaggerations.” The percentage is the highest among the groups presented, even one percentage point above government leaders, and the newest finding is eight points higher than last year.
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Confusingly, when the question was phrased differently, journalists fared slightly better. Government leaders ranked the lowest in trust among nine groups presented, at 42%, with journalists coming in second lowest place at 46%. The most trusted were scientists and fellow coworkers, at 75% and 74%, respectively.
The lack of trust in journalists reflects a general lack of trust in media. Of those surveyed, 46% said that media are a dividing force in society, compared to just 35% who said media are a unifying force. Likewise, concerns over the weaponization of fake news reached an all-time high, with over three-quarters of respondents expressing concern over it.
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The study polled over 36,000 people across 28 different countries, averaging over 1,150 respondents per country.
