Most in new survey worried about inaccuracies, misinformation being reported during election

Most Americans in the new survey are worried about inaccuracies and misinformation being reported during the 2024 election. 

Over half of Americans, 53 percent, said they are “extremely” or “very” concerned that news outlets will report inaccurate information or disinformation. The number spikes to 83 percent if those “somewhat” concerned are factored in, according to a new American Press Institute and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll released on Wednesday. 

Less than 2 in 10, or 16 percent, said they were not very or at all worried. 

Close to half of respondents, 47 percent, are “extremely” concerned that media outlets will publish information that has not been confirmed or verified. Another 34 percent were “somewhat” concerned. 

Close to half of respondents, 44 percent, were concerned that outlets would publish accurate information that favors one side. 

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) is already a point of concern for news consumers heading toward the 2024 November election. 

Respondents worry that media outlets will use AI to create stories, with 42 percent saying they were “very” concerned about it. Close to one-third, 30 percent, stated they were “somewhat” concerned while a quarter of them, 26 percent, were not.

“There may have been a time when people knew a journalist because one lived on their block,” said Michael Bolden, CEO of the American Press Institute. “The way the industry has been decimated, that’s much less likely.”

While most adults, regardless of party, age, ethnicity or race, follow the news for election updates, only a small number, 14 percent, greatly trust election-related news from national outlets. The number is worse for local media, with only 11 percent saying the same thing. 

Even with differences in media trust across party lines, there is a common thread that applies to both Republicans and Democrats: Backers of both parties want national outlets to report on social issues and policies of candidates, with 82 percent of Democrats and 76 percent of Republicans endorsing the idea. 

A similar number came up with reporting on the candidates’ character, 81 percent of Democrats and 75 of Republicans agreed.  

The poll was conducted between March 21-25 with 2,468 adults. The margin of error was 2.9 percentage points.