Large majorities of Democrats and Republicans say news media criticism helps keep political leaders from doing things they should not, according to a Pew Research Center survey.
Overall, 80% of Americans held that view, up from 75% in September 2025.
The view was shared by 89% of Democrats and 73% of Republicans.
Pew’s historical comparisons show that attitudes toward the media’s watchdog role have shifted as control of government changes.
The findings came from a nationally representative American Trends Panel survey of 5,166 adults conducted Aug. 24-30.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.
