Trust is on the line in America through disinformation
One in five top public concerns in the U.S. now involves information manipulation.
About 70% of Americans see misinformation/disinformation as major problems, back to 2021 levels. Two-thirds support combating disinformation via education, social media labels, and tougher laws 8 in 10 want schools to teach media literacy and critical evaluation skills.
Disinformation ranks alongside illegal drug use, federal spending, and poverty as a top national issue. Social media tops the blame list: Facebook (74%), TikTok (67%), X (67%).
72% see the federal government itself as spreading disinformation, up 10 points from 2023.
Emotional toll: half feel anxiety or stress from exposure; 43% avoid news altogether.
Local media remains a rare island of trust amid polarized opinions. Growing curiosity about AI: “some trust” in generative AI sources has climbed from 21% to 34%.
Disinformation isn’t just a media issue, it’s reshaping trust, behavior, and democracy itself.