A not-so-great media report card. (Opinion Pulse).

The next three pages provide an overview of attitudes about the media. Around four in ten Americans say they trust journalists and TV newscasters to tell the truth. A solid majority believe that news organizations' stories are often inaccurate; around four in ten say they get their facts straight. Nearly six in ten say that the media get in the way of helping society solve its problems; 35 percent say the media help solve society's problems. People say that the news media have too much power and influence--and that their influence is growing.

 
Would you generally trust each of the 
following types of people ...? 
 
Trust to tell the truth 
 
Teachers                80% 
Doctors                 77 
Professors              75 
Police officers         69 
Scientists              68 
Military officers       65 
Ordinary men or women   65 
Civil servants          65 
Judges                  65 
The President           65 
Clergymen or priests    64 
Accountants             55 
Bankers                 51 
TV newscasters          46 
Pollsters               44 
Journalists             39 
Members of Congress     35 
Trade union leaders     30 
Lawyers                 24 
Stockbrokers            23 
 
Source: Harris Interactive, 
November 2002. 
 
Note: Table made from bar graph. 
 
Question: In general, do you think ...? 
 
News organizations' stories and reports   58% 
  are often inaccurate 
They get the facts straight               39% 
No opinion                                 3% 
 
Note: In 1985, when Gallup asked this question, 
55 percent thought news organizations got the 
facts straight and 34 percent ...