Fact-Check the News You’re Getting, Question Major Media Reports, Americans Agreehttps://newsbusters.org/blogs/cnsnews/craig-bannister/2026/02/18/fact-check-news-youre-getting-question-major-media-reportsAmericans universally agree that people should fact-check media reports, rather than simply trust what they’re being told – and half say they don’t even need to follow the news to stay informed – according to newly-released results of a Pew Research survey.
Fully 94% of Democrats and Republicans alike think it’s important “for people to do their own research to check the accuracy of the news they get,” the national survey of U.S. adults finds. What’s more, two-thirds (66%) say it’s “extremely” or “very” important to fact-check what news media report.
Four of five adults say they actually take their own advice, as 82% report that they at least sometimes do their own research, including 37% who do so extremely/very often.
Similarly, four of five (79%) of U.S. adults feel they’re at least somewhat confident that they know how to do their own research, including 29% who are very confident.
Regarding what’s involved in “doing your own research,” 84% say it entails comparing information from multiple sources, 72% say it can include utilizing search engines (e.g., Google) and 77% cite reviewing scientific studies.
Obviously, many/most Dems and Rs have more or less opposite opinions as to
how the MSM are biased.
IMO, outright falsehoods, quotes out of context, misrepresentation of "quotes" and people, and lying by omission have permeated MSM political and social "reporting" for decades. It became more shrill with Trump this past decade, but the MSM did it with GWB, GHWB, RWR, and earlier, as well as with OhBummer! and LIEden.
I fact-check "news" reports and claims, including from conservative sources. I've seen enough incorrect/false information, exaggeration, and ignoring context from conservative sources - who should know and do better!!! - that I am cautious with some significant conservative outlets.
