New Poll Reveals Majority of Americans Rely on Public Figures for News
A recent poll by Gallup and the Knight Foundation has revealed that the vast majority of Americans rely on public figures to receive their news, with over 90 percent of respondents stating that they follow at least one public individual for information.
The poll also highlighted the types of public figures that Americans most often follow for news, with more than half of respondents saying they follow scientists or experts, journalists, or politicians or elected leaders. This is a clear indication that people are more inclined to trust individuals with specific expertise or authority on certain topics, rather than news outlets that may be perceived as biased or untrustworthy.
Perhaps most concerning, however, is the finding that some Americans trust public figures more than news outlets to report the news. This suggests that public figures with large followings have significant power to inform and persuade the public, potentially even leading to misinformation or manipulation.
The poll also revealed that Tucker Carlson, who recently parted ways with Fox News, was the public figure mentioned most often by respondents. MSNBC's Rachel Maddow came in a close second. Interestingly, many respondents also reported following social media influencers for news, with almost 50 percent saying they receive news from them.
The decline in confidence in traditional news organizations is not a new phenomenon, but it is a worrying trend. The rise of social media and the proliferation of information sources has made it increasingly difficult for people to discern what is true and what is not. It is more important than ever for individuals to exercise critical thinking and to seek out multiple sources of information to make informed decisions.
The Gallup poll surveyed more than 3,800 U.S. adults in October 2022, and the results provide valuable insights into how Americans consume news and information. It is clear that public figures, particularly those with significant followings, have an important role to play in shaping public opinion and informing the public. However, it is crucial that people remain vigilant and discerning in their consumption of news, and not rely solely on public figures or social media for information.
Alan Herrera is the Editorial Supervisor for the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents (AFPC-USA), where he oversees the organization’s media platform, foreignpress.org. He previously served as AFPC-USA’s General Secretary from 2019 to 2021 and as its Treasurer until early 2022.
Alan is an editor and reporter who has worked on interviews with such individuals as former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci; Maria Fernanda Espinosa, the former President of the United Nations General Assembly; and Mariangela Zappia, the former Permanent Representative to Italy for the U.N. and current Italian Ambassador to the United States.
Alan has spent his career managing teams as well as commissioning, writing, and editing pieces on subjects like sustainable trade, financial markets, climate change, artificial intelligence, threats to the global information environment, and domestic and international politics. Alan began his career writing film criticism for fun and later worked as the Editor on the content team for Star Trek actor and activist George Takei, where he oversaw the writing team and championed progressive policy initatives, with a particular focus on LGBTQ+ rights advocacy.