A Crisis of Confidence: Public Distrust in UK Media Reaches New Heights

Our latest poll has revealed a profound lack of trust in the UK media, with 66% of the public expressing distrust. This figure is even higher among key demographics, including Conservative voters (63%), Reform voters (83%), homeowners (67%), and those who describe themselves as working class (69%). Distrust peaks among white respondents, with 71% saying they do not trust the media.

UK Media Distrust Across Demographics

The lack of trust in UK media cuts across traditional political and social lines. Among Conservative voters, the 63% distrust level reflects a long-standing belief that the media is biased against their political interests. Reform voters, who are even more sceptical, with 83% expressing distrust, often view the media as part of an establishment that is out of touch with their concerns about issues such as immigration.

Homeowners and those who describe themselves as working-class also display heightened distrust, at 67% and 69%, respectively. For homeowners, this may stem from frustration over the media’s perceived failure to address issues like rising mortgage rates and housing costs. Among the working class, distrust likely arises from a sense that the media does not represent their struggles or priorities, focusing instead on topics that resonate more with urban elites.

Comparisons with US Media Distrust

The UK is not alone in facing a media trust crisis. In the United States, recent Gallup polling found that only 34% of Americans trust the media to report news fully, accurately, and fairly. This is comparable to the UK’s 66% distrust rate, though the polarisation along party lines is even starker in the US. Among Republicans, media distrust stands at a staggering 86%, while 58% of Democrats trust the media—a significant partisan divide.

In both countries, those who describe themselves as working-class are among the most distrustful of the media, reflecting a shared perception that their concerns are underreported or misrepresented. However, the racial dynamics differ. In the US, trust in the media is generally lower among white voters compared to other racial groups, but the gap is less pronounced than in the UK, where 71% of white respondents express distrust compared to a broader 66% national average.

Download the data tables for this poll.