News

Americans say keeping up with key news topics is crucial. But fewer say they’re highly informed themselves.

Pew Research Center · Luxuan Wang · last updated

Democrats and Republicans broadly show similar patterns in how they evaluate the importance of staying informed about various topics.

Americans overwhelmingly say it’s extremely or very important for people to stay informed about a range of news topics, including the healthcare system (82%), voting and election processes (82%), and what the president can and cannot do (80%). But far fewer say they’re extremely or very informed about these topics themselves, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in March.

The survey asked U.S. adults about 11 news topics. Majorities say it’s highly important for individual Americans to stay informed about nearly all of them – even as far fewer say they’re personally well-informed in these areas.

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