(Media News) Americans Worry About Inaccurate News as Election Nears, Pew Study Finds

As the 2024 U.S. election approaches, many voters are concerned about the spread of inaccurate news. A recent Pew Research Center report shows that 37% of U.S. adults have seen inaccurate news very often, while 36% encounter it somewhat frequently. In total, 52% of Americans find it difficult to determine what’s true in election coverage, with Republicans (51%) more likely to struggle with this than Democrats (42%).

The study also highlights partisan differences in perceptions of media quality. While 77% of Democrats believe election coverage is adequate, 60% of Republicans disagree. Overall, just 13% of Americans believe the media is covering the election very well.

Americans remain highly engaged with the election, with 69% following news closely. Older adults and those with more education are paying the most attention. Key topics of interest include candidates’ stances on issues (75%) and their moral character (60%), though much of the media’s focus has been on candidates’ actions on the campaign trail.

Media preferences also split along party lines: 82% of Democrats rely on ABC, CBS, or NBC, while 69% of Republicans favor Fox News. Meanwhile, younger voters primarily get political news from social media, with 46% of adults under 30 citing it as their main source.