The People and the Press

In: Public opinion quarterly: journal of the American Association for Public Opinion Research, Band 51, Heft 3, S. 400-403

Abstract

Public attitudes toward the press are examined using data from a 1985 Gallup Organization study involving face-to-face interviews with 3,100 US adults & follow-up telephone interviews with 33% of the sample. Results indicate that the public is basically knowledgeable about the news business, but unaware of its more detailed business & journalistic aspects. The majority of Rs are favorable to the press & believe what the news media report; attitudes concerning government control are mixed. Results confirm findings from other fields -- eg, medicine, education, advertising, & business -- about public awareness; cross-study comparisons are suggested. K. Hyatt