LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A modest increase in Americans’ trust in the news media offers encouragement, but public confidence remains historically weak, according to the Center for Integrity in News Reporting (CFINR).
Gallup’s latest survey found that 33% of Americans express substantial confidence in newspapers, television and radio to deliver complete, accurate and fair reporting, up from a record low of 28% in 2025. Roughly two-thirds still have little or no confidence in the media.
“The increase is encouraging, but when only one in three Americans trusts the news media, there is still a great deal of work to do,” said Rufus Friday, CFINR’s executive director. “News organizations must earn that trust through accurate, impartial, objective and fair news reporting, and by making clear the standards that guide their work.”
The mission of the Center for Integrity in News Reporting is to increase public trust in news reporting in America.
Gallup found that nearly all of the increase came from Republicans, whose confidence rose from 8% to 22%. Trust among Democrats and independents was essentially unchanged. The persistent partisan divide reinforces the importance of applying consistent reporting standards to every person, party and issue covered.
Founded in 2024, CFINR recognizes and rewards impartial, objective and fair news reporting and encourages news organizations to adopt and prominently display statements of their core journalistic values. In May 2027, they will have their fourth annual national awards with $25,000 prizes in each of seven different categories: print, broadcast, cable television, digital, White House correspondents’, investigative and college student reporting. Its state awards of $5,000 each now reach 23 states, and the Center works with journalism schools across the country to promote these principles among future reporters.
Beginning in 2027, CFINR’s national awards will be known as the Benjamin Franklin Prizes for Impartial, Objective and Fair News Reporting. The Center is also expanding its recognition of college news reporting through a new national student prize.
“Readers, viewers and listeners deserve news reporting that follows the facts wherever they lead and allows people to reach their own conclusions,” Friday said. “We will continue recognizing reporters who uphold those standards and encouraging news organizations to make their commitment to them visible to the public.”
Read the full Gallup findings, published Sept. 29.
About the Center for Integrity in News Reporting:
The Center for Integrity in News Reporting is an independent, nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to restoring and maintaining public trust in news reporting through awards, transparent reporting standards and partnerships with journalism schools. Learn more at cfinr.org.
