Trust, Facts and Democracy

Findings about news media views and habits in Western Europe from a survey about media, political attitudes and populist views in Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

Findings about news media views and habits in Western Europe from a survey about media, political attitudes and populist views in Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

Ratings on how well the media perform on several core functions, like investigating the actions of the government and getting the facts right, differ between those who hold populist views and those who do not.

Explore where users of news outlets in eight Western European countries place these outlets on a left-right spectrum, based on their perception of their ideological leanings.

Across eight Western European countries, people with populist leanings have more negative attitudes about the news media than do those with non-populist views.

Ratings on how well the media perform on several core functions, like investigating the actions of the government and getting the facts right, differ between those who hold populist views and those who do not.

Across eight Western European countries, people with populist leanings have more negative attitudes about the news media than do those with non-populist views.

Most Americans have negative views of the tone of political debate in their country. And a sizable majority says personal insults are “never fair game” in politics.

How do Americans feel about their own democracy? Read key findings from our recent report on Americans' views of democracy in America.

Pew Research Center is redoubling its focus on the role of information and trust in democratic societies.