Trust in news media
In ancient media times, when newspapers made money and three network news behemoths roamed the land, a vast majority of Americans trusted what they saw on television and read in the paper. No more: The slide in trust that began in the 1970s continues to this day, with fewer and fewer people believing what they find in the news cacophony.
The Latest
Congress attempts to codify the Fairness Doctrine
News library.cqpress.com ·F.C.C. Votes Down Fairness Doctrine in a 4-0 Decision (Published 1987)
News nytimes.com ·The Case of Janet Cooke
News commentary commentary.org ·Jimmy’s World
News washingtonpost.com ·The first Woodward and Bernstein story on the Watergate scandal
News washingtonpost.com ·The story that broke the Watergate burglary news and led to a scandal
News washingtonpost.com ·Supreme Court, 6-3, Upholds Newspapers on Publication of Pentagon Report (Published 1971)
News nytimes.com ·Vietnam Archive: Pentagon Study Traces 3 Decades of Growing U. S. Involvement (Published 1971)
News nytimes.com ·National Archive: Pentagon Papers
News archives.gov ·in brief
When democracy and capitalism collide
In 1987, the Reagan administration achieved a long-sought goal of the American right: It won the war against fairness in broadcasting. What followed was both unexpected — and totally predictable.
Dec. 17, 2025