A new survey (PDF) from Weber Shandwick looks at civility in America. The study examines civility in all forms of public life, including politics, family and… the media.
The results: cable news channels are perceived to be more “uncivil” than their broadcast counterparts, but overall the perception is that the media has been getting less uncivil over time.
Of the cable channels, Fox News was perceived as the most uncivil, but also tied CNN as being the most civil. NBC News was considered to be slightly more uncivil than ABC News, CBS News or PBS News, though all four were regarded as highly civil by respondents.
Overwhelmingly, respondents said that overall the media is uncivil, with 82% saying the media is “more interested in controversy than facts.”