News Media Trends

Overall, about two-in-ten Americans say they have ever spoken with or been interviewed by a local journalist.

France stands out from other Western European countries for its broad discontent toward the news media. About a third of adults say they trust the news media, including just 4% who say they have a lot of trust

A majority of rural Americans say local news media mostly cover an area other than the one where they live.

Nearly as many U.S. adults prefer to get local news online as through a TV set. And while Americans prize community connection from their local news providers, they are largely unaware of the financial challenges they face.

There are partisan divisions over certain aspects of local news reporting, including whether local journalists should express views on local issues.

Amy Mitchell, director of journalism research at Pew Research Center, discusses the findings of a new study on America's local news landscape.

In an interactive feature, you can see detailed profiles of local news attitudes and behaviors across the United States.

A majority of Americans believe the news media do not understand people like them, and this feeling is especially common among Republicans.

Pew Research Center takes the pulse of Americans and people around the world on many issues every year. Read 18 of this year’s standout findings.