How online discussion boards informed our study of what ‘news’ means to Americans
We share the “why” and “how” behind our use of an online discussion board as a qualitative research method.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Journalism
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What Is News?
As people are exposed to more information from more sources than ever before, how they define and feel about “news” has become less clear-cut.
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Republicans have become more likely since 2024 to trust information from news outlets, social media
53% of Republicans have at least some trust in information from national news outlets in 2025, up from 40% in 2024.
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Americans largely foresee AI having negative effects on news, journalists
About six-in-ten Americans (59%) say AI will lead to fewer jobs for journalists in the next two decades.
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Americans remain concerned about press freedoms, but partisan views have flipped since 2024
A majority of Democrats (60%) are highly concerned about press freedoms – about double the share of Republicans (28%).
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Support dips for U.S. government, tech companies restricting false or violent online content
Democrats and Democratic leaners are more likely than Republicans and Republican leaners to support government restrictions on false information online.
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Most Americans Say They Are Tuned In to News About the Trump Administration
Far fewer are hearing about the administration’s relationship with the media than was the case early in President Donald Trump’s first term.
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Americans more likely to support than oppose continuing federal funding for NPR and PBS
Republicans are much more likely than Democrats to support ending federal funding for public media.
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5 facts about Americans and YouTube
Here are five key findings about YouTube from our research to mark its 20th anniversary.
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No consensus on who comes to mind when Americans are asked to name a news influencer
In an open-ended question, we asked U.S. adults who say they regularly get news from news influencers to name the first one who comes to mind for them.
