Americans say keeping up with key news topics is crucial. But fewer say they’re highly informed themselves
Democrats and Republicans broadly show similar patterns in how they evaluate the importance of staying informed about various topics.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
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What Americans think it takes to be a good news consumer
One of the most common things Americans associate with being a good news consumer is a sense of skepticism or discernment.
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Where do Americans turn first for information about breaking news?
When a breaking news event happens, 36% of U.S. adults say they typically turn first to their preferred news organization to get more information.
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Majority of Americans express low confidence in journalists to act in public’s best interests
57% of U.S. adults say they have not too much (40%) or no confidence (17%) in journalists to act in the best interests of the public.
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Americans’ Complicated Relationship With News
Most say being informed is essential for voting. Yet views differ on the importance of following news – and many say they’re worn out by it.
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Video: How do young adults get their news?
Young adults under 30 are getting more news on social media, shaping how information spreads and giving us a possible glimpse into the future of news.
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Young Adults and the Future of News
U.S. adults under 30 follow news less closely than any other age group. And they’re more likely to get (and trust) news from social media.
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How Americans’ trust in information from news organizations and social media sites has changed over time
Overall, 56% of U.S. adults now say they have a lot of or some trust in the information they get from national news organizations – down 11 percentage points since March 2025.
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Many Americans say they often come across inaccurate news – and have a hard time knowing what’s true
Those who report often encountering inaccurate news are more likely than those who rarely or never do to say it’s hard to know what is true (59% vs. 31%).
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More Americans get news about government and politics than about other topics
Fewer say they frequently get news about science and technology (32%), business and finance (32%), sports (27%) and entertainment (19%).
