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U.S. NEWS Tuesday 2 May 2023
Americans fault news media for dividing nation: AP-NORC poll

By DAVID KLEPPER And more Republicans
Associated Press think the news is strongly
WASHINGTON (AP) — When influenced by the U.S. gov-
it comes to the news media ernment and the political
and the impact it's having views of journalists.
on democracy and politi- Coverage of recent presi-
cal polarization in the Unit- dential elections, the coro-
ed States, Americans are navirus pandemic, protests
likelier to say it's doing more against police killings of
harm than good. Black Americans and oth-
Nearly three-quarters of er events convinced Janis
U.S. adults say the news Fort that the media can't
media is increasing political be believed. One station
polarization in this country, will cover a story that oth-
and just under half say they ers ignore, she said, leaving
have little to no trust in the viewers not sure whom to
media's ability to report the trust.
news fairly and accurately, "Everyone tells a different
according to a new survey story. The media does noth-
from The Associated Press- ing but stir up fear," said
NORC Center for Public Af- Fort, a retired 71-year-old
fairs Research and Robert Republican who lives in
F. Kennedy Human Rights. Navarre, Florida. "For me,
The poll, released before Former Vice President Mike Pence, center, talks to reporters after speaking at a parents rights rally and for most of the people
World Press Freedom Day on Feb. 15, 2023, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Associated Press I know, we feel like we're
on Wednesday, shows totally in the dark."
Americans have signifi- cans to reject the main- or extremely helpful for cans to see one another as Research has shown that
cant concerns about mis- stream news media, often understanding the issues enemies, said Joe Salegna, fragmentation of the me-
information — and the role in favor of social media and they care about, but they a Republican who lives on dia ecosystem, driven
played by the media itself unreliable websites that are more likely to say they Long Island, New York. largely by the internet, has
along with politicians and spread misleading claims regularly scan the head- "I think it's tearing this coun- contributed to polariza-
social media companies and that can become par- lines than read an in-depth try apart," Salegna, 50, told tion. Experts say America's
in spreading it — but that tisan echo chambers, lead- investigative article. And the AP. "Since the 2016 heightened political divi-
many are also concerned ing to further polarization. while overall trust in the election I think it's gotten a sions have a number of
about growing threats to While a slim majority of media is low, a majority of lot worse." causes — gerrymandering
journalists' safety. Americans say they have respondents say the media Republicans view the news that reduces political com-
"The news riles people up," some degree of confi- is doing at least somewhat media less favorably than petition, for example, or
said 53-year-old Barbara dence in the news media's well in covering issues they Democrats, with 61% of Re- politicians who stoke fear
Jordan, a Democrat from ability to report the news care about. publicans saying the news and distrust — but media
Hutchinson, Kansas. Jordan fully and fairly, only 16% say Four in 10 say the press is media is hurting democ- fragmentation and misin-
said she now does her own they are very confident. doing more to hurt Ameri- racy, compared with 23% formation are making a
online research instead of Forty-five percent say they can democracy, while only of Democrats and 36% of clear impact, too.
going by what she sees on have little to no confidence about 2 in 10 say the press independents who don't "We should be concerned
the TV news. "You're bet- at all. is doing more to protect it. lean toward either party. for the health of democ-
ter off Googling something The survey reveals the com- An additional 4 in 10 say Majorities across party lines racy," said Joshua Tucker,
and learning about it. I trust plicated relationship many neither applies. say the news media fuels a political scientist at New
the internet more than I do Americans have with the Partisancable news outlets political division, but Re- York University who studies
the TV." media: A majority rate in- and social media platforms publicans are much more partisanship and co-directs
That breakdown in trust depth and investigative have driven the problem by likely than Democrats to NYU's Center for Social
may prompt many Ameri- reporting as very helpful conditioning many Ameri- say that's happening a lot. Media.q

Bill would allow 14-year-olds to serve

alcohol in Wisconsin

Associated Press could only serve to seated They said their idea “cre-
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Four- customers, not drinkers who ates a simple solution” to
teen-year-olds in Wiscon- are at the bar itself. the state’s workforce short-
sin could serve alcohol to The current age limit on age problems in the food
seated customers in bars serving alcohol “causes and beverage industry. The
and restaurants under a bill workforce issues due to bill requires the licensed
circulated for cosponsors an establishment’s under- operator of the bar or res-
Monday by a pair of Re- age employees only be- taurant be on the premises
publican state lawmakers. ing able to do part of their and supervising.
Under current law, only job,” the bill sponsors Sen. Although no one under the Patrons sit in a hotel bar in Eau Claire, Wis., May 1, 2019.
workers age 18 and above Rob Stafsholt, of New Rich- age of 21 can legally drink Associated Press
can serve alcohol to cus- mond, and Rep. Chanz alcohol, those under 21 — are with their parents. allowed to serve alcohol,
tomers in Wisconsin. The Green, of Grandview, said including minors of any age If the proposal passes, Wis- according to the National
bill would broaden that to in a memo circulated Mon- — in Wisconsin can drink in consin would have the Institute on Alcohol Abuse
workers ages 14 to 17. They day seeking cosponsors. bars and restaurants if they lowest age limit for workers and Alcoholism. q