Earlier this month, a Sacred Heart University Poll found that an increasing percentage of Americans do not trust the reporting of the major news media. Less than 20 percent of those surveyed were able to say they believed all or most of what the media reports—down from 27 percent in 2003. According to the report,

The perception is growing among Americans that the news media attempts to influence public opinion—from 79.3 percent strongly or somewhat agreeing in 2003 to 87.6 percent in 2007.And, 86 percent agreed (strongly or somewhat) that the news media attempts to influence public policies—up from 76.7 percent in 2003.Americans surveyed provided poor ratings for the national news media on six different characteristics measured. The average overall positive rating across all six characteristics measured was 33.4 percent. The highest positive rating, 40.7 percent, was recorded for quality of reporting followed by accuracy of reporting at 36.9 percent and keeping any personal bias out of stories (33.3 percent).

Other low positive ratings included: fairness (31.3 percent), presenting an even balance of views (30.4 percent) and presenting negative and positive news equally (27.5 percent).

The study also exposed the widening gap between the public’s perception of the war in Iraq compared with media coverage. Seventy percent of those surveyed believe negative news reporting adversely affects troop morale. According to the report, “Over half of all survey respondents, 59.8 percent, agreed (strongly or somewhat) that negative media coverage damages prospects for success in Iraq because it encourages terrorists, and about half, 49.1 percent, agreed (strongly or somewhat) that things are likely going better for the U.S. than the U.S. media portrays.”

To see how far news organizations will go to politicize acts of war, read what we wrote here.