• by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer @mp_research, March 13, 2008

Two Thirds of Americans Dissatisfied With The Quality of Journalism

A new WeMedia/Zogby Interactive poll shows that 67% of Americans believe traditional journalism is out of touch with what Americans want from their news. In addition, the survey found that while almost 70% of Americans think journalism is important to the quality of life in their communities, though two thirds are not satisfied with the quality of journalism in their communities.

The online survey documented the shift away from traditional sources of news, such as newspapers and TV, to the Internet, most dramatically among so-called digital natives, people under 30 years old.

• 48% of the survey respondents said their primary source of news and information is the Internet, an increase from the 40% who said the same a year ago. Younger adults were most likely to name the Internet as their top source
• 55% of those age 18 to 29 say they get most of their news and information online, compared to 35% of those age 65 and older
• 38% of these seniors said they get most of their news from television.
• Overall, 29% said television is their main source of news, while 11% turn to radio and 10% to newspapers for most of their news and information
• 7% of those age 18 to 29 said they get most of their news from newspapers
• 17% of those age 65 and older list newspapers as their top source of news and information

According to the study, web sites are regarded as a more important source of news and information than traditional media outlets:

• 86% of Americans said Web sites were an important source of news, with more than half (56%) who view these sites as "very important." 77% view television, 74% radio, and 70% newspapers as "important" sources of news
• 38% say the same about blogs

Andrew Nachison, co-founder of iFOCOS, said "...we have documented a crisis in American journalism that is far more serious than the industry's business challenges... Americans recognize the value of journalism for their communities, and they are unsatisfied with what they see. While the U.S. news industry... frets about its future, Americans are dismayed by its present..."

The survey finds the Internet not only outweighs television, radio, and newspapers as the most frequently used and important source for news and information, but Web sites were also cited as more trustworthy than more traditional media sources by 32% of the respondents.

Although 64% of Americans are dissatisfied with the quality of journalism overall satisfaction with journalism has increased to 35% from 27% who said the same in 2007

• 87% believe professional journalism has a vital role to play in journalism's future, although 77% see citizen journalism and 59% see blogging as significant in journalism's future
• 1% of Americans consider blogs their most trusted source of news, or their primary source of news
• 75% believe the Internet has had a positive impact on the overall quality of journalism
• 69% believe media companies are becoming too large and powerful to allow for competition

For more on the study, please visit here.