Americans found cable news the most “helpful” source for information about the presidential campaign, according to a survey released Thursday by the Pew Research Center.
“At the top of the list is cable news, named as most helpful by 24% of those who learned about the election in the past week,” write Pew’s researchers. “That is at least 10 percentage points higher than any other source type. Our past research indicates though, that the 24% is likely divided ideologically in the specific network they watch and trust.”
Social media (14 percent), local TV (14 percent), news websites and apps (13 percent) and radio (11 percent) follow as most helpful sources, with the network evening news placing sixth, with 10 percent, ahead of late night comedy shows (3 percent).
Cable news was the top choice among voters above 30, but it dropped to third place among voters 18-29, who turn to social media first, followed by news websites and apps.