Media Poll

A recent Pew Research Center Poll shows that the American public is rather schizophrenic when it comes to their feelings on the press. When it comes to the question if the media has hurt national security interests, 50% of the public say yes while only 34% say no. However, 65% of these same people who were surveyed believe that the stories are worth knowing.

Andrew Kohut, director of the non-partisan research center said this, "We see it over and over again: People say maybe the press shouldn't have said that, but we really want them to keep digging."

I wonder how much the Bush Administration has influenced those numbers through their non-stop badgering of the media. The media has been referred to as "treasonous," "unpatriotic," "terrorist sympathizers," "al-Qaeda-like," etc. Anytime a bit of information arises via the press, these attacks then ensue on that outlet and the media in general. I can't help but wonder if the mere-exposure effect has taken place amongst some of the 50% who believe that the media poses a threat to our national security. Many can't help but believe something if they've heard it enough. If the Bush Administration and the Neo-Conservative media outlets know how to do anything, it's repeat themselves over and over and over again until it sticks to a portion or a majority of the public. Unfortunately, it appears that their repetition trick has been a successful one when it comes to the media.

Link:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20060823-105655-4270r.htm