{"id":378886,"date":"2026-09-15T09:56:05","date_gmt":"2026-09-15T13:56:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?p=378886"},"modified":"2026-09-18T09:50:35","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T13:50:35","slug":"how-americans-view-the-relationship-between-the-government-and-the-news-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/journalism\/2026\/09\/15\/how-americans-view-the-relationship-between-the-government-and-the-news-media\/","title":{"rendered":"How Americans view the relationship between the government and the news media"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
About this research<\/summary>\n

This report from the Pew-Knight Initiative<\/a> looks at how Americans think about freedom of the press, as well as the related First Amendment concept of freedom of speech, in the United States today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why we did this<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Pew Research Center has asked about press freedom and free speech both domestically and globally for the past decade. The topic has become especially relevant amid the changing media environment<\/a> and the evolving concept of \u201cthe press\u201d<\/a>; the growing role of technology companies as gatekeepers<\/a> to news and information; and President Donald Trump\u2019s tense relationship with the news media<\/a>, which has led some groups and individuals to raise concerns about whether press freedom is being restricted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a good time to take a fresh look at Americans\u2019 views on press freedom in the U.S. \u2013 how they define it, what they think about its status and how they weigh it against other ongoing challenges in the news environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about Pew Research Center<\/a> and our research on news habits and media<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How we did this<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We surveyed 3,507 U.S. adults from March 23 to 29, 2026, and 3,488 U.S. adults from June 22 to 28, 2026. Everyone who took part in these surveys is a member of the Center\u2019s American Trends Panel<\/a>. The surveys represent the views of the full U.S. adult population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also conducted 10 online focus group discussions led by SSRS with 74 U.S. adults, held from May 20 to June 4, 2026. These discussions do not represent the entire U.S. population. This report shares findings and quotes from the focus groups to help illustrate and add detail to the survey results. Quotes were lightly edited for spelling, punctuation and clarity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the survey questions used for this report<\/a>, the detailed responses<\/a> and the methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a Pew Research Center report from the Pew-Knight Initiative, a research program funded jointly by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Find related reports online at https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/pew-knight\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

The writers of the Constitution envisioned a free press as one of the key aspects of American democracy \u2013 but that freedom has always come along with tensions between elected officials (including presidents<\/a>) and journalists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, Americans across the political spectrum say the relationship between the president and the press is in a bad place.<\/strong> Views vary on who is to blame: Democrats largely say the press has become less free under President Donald Trump<\/a>, while most Republicans say news organizations have too much political power and influence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amid these tensions, more than half of Americans say criticism is acceptable from politicians toward journalists, and vice versa. But<\/strong> a larger share say it is OK for journalists to criticize elected leaders than for those in office to criticize journalists.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At a time when their party controls the White House and Congress, Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say it is acceptable for elected leaders to criticize journalists, while Democrats are more inclined to say it is OK for journalists to criticize politicians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These findings are based on a Pew Research Center study from the Pew-Knight Initiative<\/a> exploring how Americans are thinking about press freedom today. Read key findings from the full study<\/a>, which included two surveys of U.S. adults and a series of 10 focus groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Views on the relationship between Trump and the media<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most Americans (71%) think the Trump administration and the news media have a very or somewhat bad relationship.<\/strong> About one-in-five U.S. adults (17%) say the relationship between the two is neutral, and just 11% say it is very or somewhat good.<\/p>\n\n\n

\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Most U.S. adults think the Trump administration and U.S. news media have a bad relationship<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
% of U.S. adults who say the Trump administration and the U.S. news media currently have a very or somewhat<\/strong> __ relationship<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\"Chart\"<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Note: Respondents who did not answer are not shown.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Source: Pew Research Center survey of U.S. adults conducted June 22-28, 2026. For other survey dates, refer to the topline<\/a>.

\u201cAmericans Value Press Freedom but Differ on Its Limits\u201d<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
PEW-KNIGHT INITIATIVE <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Share this chart<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t