An update on our research into trust, facts and democracy
A little over a year ago, Pew Research Center decided to intensify its research focus on the theme of trust, facts and democracy. As part of this initiative, the Center has published more than 30 pieces of related research over the past 12 months.
Many Americans Say Made-Up News Is a Critical Problem That Needs To Be Fixed
Politicians viewed as major creators of it, but journalists seen as the ones who should fix it
Partisans are divided on whether they associate the news media or Trump with ‘made-up’ news
Republicans and Democrats are particularly divided on how closely they connect made-up news to the news media or to President Trump.
In South Africa, racial divisions and pessimism about democracy loom over elections
Many South Africans are dissatisfied with the state of their democracy. Confidence in some civic institutions declined from 1990 to 2013.
In many countries, dissatisfaction with democracy is tied to views about economic conditions, personal rights
Dissatisfaction with democracy is correlated with views on economic conditions, whether key democratic norms are being respected and other issues.
Many Across the Globe Are Dissatisfied With How Democracy Is Working
Across 27 countries, more people are unhappy with the state of democracy in their countries than satisfied. Discontent with democracy is tied to concerns about the economy, individual rights and out-of-touch elites.
Most Americans – especially Republicans – say local journalists shouldn’t express views on local issues
There are partisan divisions over certain aspects of local news reporting, including whether local journalists should express views on local issues.
Indian elections nearing amid frustration with politics, concerns about misinformation
Many Indians are satisfied with how democracy is working in India. But most see politicians as corrupt and question the efficacy of elections.
Partisans agree political leaders should be honest and ethical, disagree whether Trump fits the bill
While partisans agree that political leaders should be honest and ethical, they differ over whether particular leaders display these traits.
Trust, Facts, Democracy
Lee Rainie, director of internet and technology research, presented a synthesis of the Pew Research Center’s growing explorations of issues related to trust, facts and democracy at a forum hosted by the International Institute of Communications on December 5, 2018.
