New Survey Reveals Brits Value Trusted Journalism More Than Ever
A recent survey conducted for the Journalism Matters campaign has shed light on the importance of trusted journalism in the eyes of the majority of Brits. The study found that three-quarters of respondents believe that journalism plays a more crucial role in society today than ever before. The reasons cited for this increased importance include concerns about the spread of fake news and misinformation, a powerful government with limited opposition, and a devolution agenda that aims to transfer powers to regional authorities.
The survey highlighted social media as a major platform for the dissemination of fake news and misinformation, with 71 per cent of respondents pointing to it as a key culprit. Furthermore, 67 per cent of those surveyed expressed belief that misinformation directly affects politics in the UK. Nearly 80 per cent of participants suggested that tech companies should face heavy fines if they allow fake news to circulate on their platforms. Additionally, 60 per cent of respondents felt that advertisers should cease or significantly reduce their support for these companies if they continue to enable misinformation.
Jo Allan, CEO of Newsworks, expressed optimism about the findings, noting that the survey underscores the public’s growing awareness of the vital role journalism plays in society. Allan highlighted the role of journalism in holding those in power accountable, particularly in a year dominated by political events. Against the backdrop of fake news and misinformation, trusted journalism appears to hold even greater significance for people today.
The survey also revealed that 60 per cent of respondents believe that AI firms and big tech companies should not be allowed to use copyrighted works, such as journalism, to train AI without explicit permission. The study, which involved 2,000 participants and was conducted by OnePoll, was released to coincide with Journalism Matters week.
Journalism Matters week is an annual campaign organised by the News Media Association (NMA) to celebrate the essential work of UK journalists. The week serves as a platform to recognise the contributions of journalists in shedding light on corruption, holding power to account, and serving the public interest. NMA chief executive Owen Meredith emphasised the growing importance of journalism, particularly in the face of challenges to our democratic way of life.
One notable trend identified in the survey was the public’s heightened interest in journalism’s role in scrutinising the government, especially following the Labour Party’s landslide victory in the recent general election. Sixty-four per cent of respondents agreed that journalists play a critical role in holding power to account, particularly when the government holds a substantial majority in parliament.
At a local level, the importance of local news media was also underscored, with 66 per cent of respondents believing that these outlets will become increasingly vital in representing communities as decentralisation efforts gain traction.
As Journalism Matters week continues, the survey results bring to the forefront the enduring significance of trusted journalism in keeping the public informed, safeguarding democracy, and promoting accountability.