The public is less confident. Both surveys were done for the American Society of Newspaper Editors as part of a Journalism Credibility Project. I am reporting periodically on this effort because The Oregonian is involved. The Oregonian is focusing on sensationalism as it relates to crime coverage and fairness in general news coverage. Urban identified a number of differences in attitudes and demographics that may help us understand why the public questions media credibility.
Journalists frequently discuss ethics in their work.
But this research suggests the efforts do not go far enough for readers to recognize them in the newspaper. Fewer than three in 10 members of the public think journalists would show that much sensitivity. Many Americans say they have a high level of involvement in their communities, with more than half having volunteered at a school, church or other nonpolitical organization within the past year. More than half of journalists say they are less involved in community life than the public. Almost eight in 10 members of the public say they watch local nightly news on television.