Media Attitudes

Explore the data on how publics across 38 countries think their news media are doing on issues like reporting the news accurately.

The U.S. has more foreign students enrolled in its colleges and universities than any other country in the world. Explore data about foreign students in the U.S. higher education system.

Where do Americans go to stay informed about science topics? Here are some key takeaways about Americans’ science news habits today.

Republicans and Democrats offer starkly different assessments of the impact of several of the nation’s leading institutions – including the news media, colleges and universities and churches and religious organizations.

Roughly nine-in-ten Democrats say news media criticism keeps leaders in line (sometimes called the news media’s “watchdog role”), while only about four-in-ten Republicans say the same.

Among the challenges U.S. police officers perceive on the job is a widespread feeling that police are mistreated by the media.

Three-quarters or more of Americans are confident in the military, medical scientists and scientists in general to act in the best interests of the public. But fewer than half report similar confidence in the news media, business leaders and elected officials.

Americans are divided in what they consider the most positive and negative attribute of the news media, and much of that divide follows party lines.

Digital innovation has had a major impact on the public's news habits. How have these changes shaped Americans’ appetite for and attitudes toward the news?

News remains an important part of public life. But Americans are cautious as they move into today’s more complex news environment and discerning in their evaluation of available news sources.