Pew Research Center has published the results of its study on the credibility of 13 news organizations, including the the cable networks, the broadcast networks, local news and a handful of newspapers. While the study finds “the believability ratings for major news organizations have suffered broad-based declines,” local news has the highest believability ratings, according to Pew:
Across all 13 news organizations included in the survey, the average positive believability rating (3 or 4 on a 4-point scale) is 56%. In 2010, the average positive rating was 62%. A decade ago, the average rating for the news organizations tested was 71%. Since 2002, every news outlet’s believability rating has suffered a double-digit drop, except for local daily newspapers and local TV news.
In terms of current believability ratings, the study finds local television leads the pack:
As in past believability surveys, local TV news and the CBS News program 60 Minutes receive the most positive ratings. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of those able to rate local TV news give it a rating of 3 or 4. Ratings are comparable for 60 Minutes (64% 3 or 4).
The believability ratings for local TV news are higher than those for the three cable news outlets. Currently, 65% give local news a rating of 3 or 4. Since 2002, credibility ratings for local TV news have remained more stable than have ratings for the three main cable news outlets.
The full results of the study are here.