The Most Trusted News Source In U.S.

The folks over at Public Policy Polling have once again conducted their yearly survey on what news sources are trusted or not trusted in the United States. The survey, taken between January 31st and February 3rd of 800 randomly chosen adults nationwide, was not paid for or authorized by any campaign or political organization -- and marks the fourth year the poll has been done.

The hands-down winner as the most trusted news source is the Public Broadcasting System (PBS). In fact, it is the only news source with a higher trusted percentage than not trusted percentage. About 52% the public trusts PBS, while only 29% say they do not trust it.

Meanwhile, Fox News scored its lowest trust rating in the four years the poll has been conducted (which is not surprise considering their ratings fell sharply recently). In 2010, Fox News had a 49% trusted percentage and a 37% not trusted rating (+12). This years survey showed them with a 41% trust percentage and a 46% not trusted percentage (-5). That's a 17 point drop in trust.

One of the most interesting aspects of the survey showed the difference in trust between the political parties. The Democrats gave every news organization a trusted rating except one -- Fox News. But the Republicans only gave one news organization a trusted rating -- again Fox News. Does that mean Democrats are more open to a variety of interpretations on news stories, while Republicans only want to hear the one source that agrees with their view of the world? I think that's pretty obvious.

Here are the numbers for the different organizations -- with the first number being those who trust that organization, and the number in parentheses being those who do not trust the organization:

PUBLIC BROADCASTING SYSTEM
General public...............52% (29%).....+23
Democrats...............72% (11%).....+61
Republicans...............27% (48%).....-21
Independents...............51% (34%).....+17
Women...............56% (22%).....+34
Men...............47% (37%).....+10

NBC
General public...............39% (42%).....-3
Democrats...............61% (16%).....+45
Republicans...............18% (66%).....-48
Independents...............30% (52%).....-22
Women...............43% (35%).....+8
Men...............35% (50%).....-15

MSNBC
General public...............35% (44%).....-9
Democrats...............58% (19%).....+39
Republicans...............12% (68%).....-56
Independents...............28% (54%).....-26
Women...............39% (33%).....+6
Men...............31% (55%).....-14

FOX
General public...............41% (46%).....-5
Democrats...............22% (66%).....-44
Republicans...............70% (15%).....+55
Independents...............32% (56%).....-24
Women...............39% (44%).....-5
Men...............42% (49%).....-7

CNN
General public...............38% (43%).....-5
Democrats...............57% (21%).....+36
Republicans...............17% (66%).....-49
Independents...............32% (48%).....-16
Women...............42% (34%).....+8
Men...............33% (51%).....-18

CBS
General public...............34% (43%).....-9
Democrats...............54% (16%).....+38
Republicans...............15% (72%).....-57
Independents...............27% (51%).....-24
Women...............38% (35%).....+3
Men...............30% (52%).....-22

ABC
General public...............32% (42%).....-10
Democrats...............51% (16%).....+35
Republicans...............14% (70%).....-56
Independents...............24% (49%).....-25
Women...............36% (33%).....+3
Men...............28% (51%).....-23

I would have to agree with the sentiments of the general public. PBS is by far the most trustworthy news we are offered in this country.