According to the 2011 Pew Research Center poll, the public was divided over whether the press protected or hurt democracy (42%-42%), and Americans were 10 points less likely to view the press as an effective watchdog.
A 56% majority of those 18-29 said press criticism prevented political leaders from doing things that should not be done; today, three-quarters (75%) say this.
The research suggests that in 2011, all-time lows in trust of the press were reached. A conclusion that can be drawn is that Americans just don't trust the press much anymore like they used to.
