Mobile media users are more likely than nonusers to give higher credibility rankings to national newspapers and most other mainstream news media (see charts 9.8 and 9.9), according to the latest mobile media news consumption survey from the Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI). They also tend to place greater importance on getting news every day and on the source of news (see charts 9.19 and 9.20).
2014 RJI Mobile Media Research Report 9: Credibility of mainstream news media fares better among mobile media users
1. donald w. reynolds rji journalism institute
2014 RJI Mobile Media
News Consumption Survey
Charts for Research Report 9
The Go-To Place for Ideas, Experiments, and Research • • • w ww.RJIonline.org
2. Opinions about the news media and journalism
[ Chart index ]
CREDIBILITY AGREEMENT GROUPINGS
9.2 9.13 All 2014 participants
9.3 9.14 All 2014 participants aged 18-34
9.4 9.15 All 2014 participants aged 35-54
9.5 9.16 All 2014 participants aged 55 or older
9.6 9.17 All 2014 male participants
9.7 9.18 All 2014 female participants
9.8 9.19 All 2014 participants who were mobile media users*
9.9 9.20 All 2014 participants who were not mobile media users*
9.10 9.21 All 2014 participants who read news found on social media
9.11 9.22 All 2014 participants who were newspaper subscribers
9.12 9.23 All 2014 participants who were not newspaper subscribers
* Mobile media users are participants who said they had used a smartphone and/or tablet in the
week prior to participating in the 2014 RJI Mobile Media News Consumption Survey.
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.1 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
3. Perceived credibility of the news media
[ All 2014 participants ]
7 Not Credible | Credible 8
NEWS MEDIA 1 2 3 4 5
National Newspapers
Your Local Newspaper(s)
Public TV News
Local TV News
National Network TV News
Cable News Network
MSNBC Cable News
Fox Cable News
Radio News
Social Media Networks
3.7
3.5
3.8
3.7
3.5
3.5
3.2
3.1
3.3
2.1
Average credibility ranking for each news source on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following news sources, please tell me how credible
you think it is on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Not Credible at All’ and 5 is ‘Very Credible.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.2 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
4. Perceived credibility of the news media
[ All 2014 participants aged 18-34 ]
7 Not Credible | Credible 8
1 2 3 4 5
3.9
3.6
3.7
3.6
3.6
3.7
3.4
3.1
3.3
2.3
NEWS MEDIA
National Newspapers
Your Local Newspaper(s)
Public TV News
Local TV News
National Network TV News
Cable News Network
MSNBC Cable News
Fox Cable News
Radio News
Social Media Networks
Average credibility ranking for each news source on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following news sources, please tell me how credible
you think it is on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Not Credible at All’ and 5 is ‘Very Credible.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.3 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
5. Perceived credibility of the news media
[ All 2014 participants aged 35-54 ]
7 Not Credible | Credible 8
1 2 3 4 5
3.8
3.5
3.8
3.7
3.5
3.6
3.3
3.1
3.5
NEWS MEDIA
National Newspapers
Your Local Newspaper(s)
Public TV News
Local TV News
National Network TV News
Cable News Network
MSNBC Cable News
Fox Cable News
Radio News
Social Media Networks
Average credibility ranking for each news source on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following news sources, please tell me how credible
you think it is on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Not Credible at All’ and 5 is ‘Very Credible.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
2.2
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.4 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
6. Perceived credibility of the news media
[ All 2014 participants aged 55 or older ]
7 Not Credible | Credible 8
1 2 3 4 5
3.4
3.5
3.8
3.7
3.5
3.3
3.0
3.2
3.3
NEWS MEDIA
National Newspapers
Your Local Newspaper(s)
Public TV News
Local TV News
National Network TV News
Cable News Network
MSNBC Cable News
Fox Cable News
Radio News
Social Media Networks
Average credibility ranking for each news source on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following news sources, please tell me how credible
you think it is on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Not Credible at All’ and 5 is ‘Very Credible.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
1.9
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.5 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
7. Perceived credibility of the news media
[ All 2014 male participants ]
7 Not Credible | Credible 8
1 2 3 4 5
3.6
3.5
3.6
3.6
3.4
3.4
3.0
3.0
3.2
NEWS MEDIA
National Newspapers
Your Local Newspaper(s)
Public TV News
Local TV News
National Network TV News
Cable News Network
MSNBC Cable News
Fox Cable News
Radio News
Social Media Networks
Average credibility ranking for each news source on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following news sources, please tell me how credible
you think it is on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Not Credible at All’ and 5 is ‘Very Credible.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
2.0
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.6 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
8. Perceived credibility of the news media
[ All 2014 female participants ]
7 Not Credible | Credible 8
1 2 3 4 5
3.8
3.6
3.9
3.8
3.7
3.7
3.5
3.2
3.5
2.3
NEWS MEDIA
National Newspapers
Your Local Newspaper(s)
Public TV News
Local TV News
National Network TV News
Cable News Network
MSNBC Cable News
Fox Cable News
Radio News
Social Media Networks
Average credibility ranking for each news source on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following news sources, please tell me how credible
you think it is on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Not Credible at All’ and 5 is ‘Very Credible.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.7 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
9. Perceived credibility of the news media
[ All 2014 participants who were mobile media users ]
7 Not Credible | Credible 8
1 2 3 4 5
3.8
3.5
3.8
3.7
3.6
3.5
3.3
3.1
3.4
NEWS MEDIA
National Newspapers
Your Local Newspaper(s)
Public TV News
Local TV News
National Network TV News
Cable News Network
MSNBC Cable News
Fox Cable News
Radio News
Social Media Networks
Average credibility ranking for each news source on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following news sources, please tell me how credible
you think it is on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Not Credible at All’ and 5 is ‘Very Credible.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
2.2
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.8 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
10. Perceived credibility of the news media
[ All 2014 participants who were not mobile media users ]
7 Not Credible | Credible 8
1 2 3 4 5
3.4
3.6
3.6
3.6
3.4
3.5
3.3
3.2
3.3
NEWS MEDIA
National Newspapers
Your Local Newspaper(s)
Public TV News
Local TV News
National Network TV News
Cable News Network
MSNBC Cable News
Fox Cable News
Radio News
Social Media Networks
Average credibility ranking for each news source on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following news sources, please tell me how credible
you think it is on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Not Credible at All’ and 5 is ‘Very Credible.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
2.2
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.9 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
11. Perceived credibility of the news media
[ All 2014 participants who read news found on social media ]
7 Not Credible | Credible 8
1 2 3 4 5
3.9
3.5
3.8
3.7
3.6
3.6
3.4
3.1
3.3
2.4
NEWS MEDIA
National Newspapers
Your Local Newspaper(s)
Public TV News
Local TV News
National Network TV News
Cable News Network
MSNBC Cable News
Fox Cable News
Radio News
Social Media Networks
Average credibility ranking for each news source on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following news sources, please tell me how credible
you think it is on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Not Credible at All’ and 5 is ‘Very Credible.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.10 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
12. Perceived credibility of the news media
[ All 2014 participants who were newspaper subscribers ]
7 Not Credible | Credible 8
1 2 3 4 5
3.8
3.8
3.9
3.8
3.6
3.6
3.2
3.1
3.4
NEWS MEDIA
National Newspapers
Your Local Newspaper(s)
Public TV News
Local TV News
National Network TV News
Cable News Network
MSNBC Cable News
Fox Cable News
Radio News
Social Media Networks
Average credibility ranking for each news source on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following news sources, please tell me how credible
you think it is on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Not Credible at All’ and 5 is ‘Very Credible.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
1.9
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.11 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
13. Perceived credibility of the news media
[ All 2014 participants who were not newspaper subscribers ]
7 Not Credible | Credible 8
1 2 3 4 5
3.6
3.4
3.7
3.6
3.5
3.5
3.3
3.2
3.3
NEWS MEDIA
National Newspapers
Your Local Newspaper(s)
Public TV News
Local TV News
National Network TV News
Cable News Network
MSNBC Cable News
Fox Cable News
Radio News
Social Media Networks
Average credibility ranking for each news source on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following news sources, please tell me how credible
you think it is on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Not Credible at All’ and 5 is ‘Very Credible.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
2.2
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.12 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
14. Agreement with statements about news
[ All 2014 participants ]
7 Disagree | Agree 8
STATEMENTS 1 2 3 4 5
It is very important
for me to get the news
every day
The source of news
is very important
to me
I prefer news stories
produced and selected by
professional journalists
News is news;
it doesn’t matter to me
who produced it
3.9
3.9
3.8
2.2
Average agreement ranking for each statement on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following statement, please tell me how much you
agree or disagree on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Strongly Disagree’ and 5 is ‘Strongly Agree.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.13 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
15. Agreement with statements about news
[ All 2014 participants aged 18-34 ]
7 Disagree | Agree 8
STATEMENTS 1 2 3 4 5
It is very important
for me to get the news
every day
The source of news
is very important
to me
I prefer news stories
produced and selected by
professional journalists
News is news;
it doesn’t matter to me
who produced it
3.6
3.8
3.6
2.2
Average agreement ranking for each statement on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following statement, please tell me how much you
agree or disagree on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Strongly Disagree’ and 5 is ‘Strongly Agree.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.14 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
16. Agreement with statements about news
[ All 2014 participants aged 35-54 ]
7 Disagree | Agree 8
STATEMENTS 1 2 3 4 5
It is very important
for me to get the news
every day
The source of news
is very important
to me
I prefer news stories
produced and selected by
professional journalists
News is news;
it doesn’t matter to me
who produced it
3.9
3.9
3.8
2.2
Average agreement ranking for each statement on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following statement, please tell me how much you
agree or disagree on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Strongly Disagree’ and 5 is ‘Strongly Agree.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.15 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
17. Agreement with statements about news
[ All 2014 participants aged 55 or older ]
7 Disagree | Agree 8
STATEMENTS 1 2 3 4 5
It is very important
for me to get the news
every day
The source of news
is very important
to me
I prefer news stories
produced and selected by
professional journalists
News is news;
it doesn’t matter to me
who produced it
4.2
4.0
3.9
2.3
Average agreement ranking for each statement on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following statement, please tell me how much you
agree or disagree on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Strongly Disagree’ and 5 is ‘Strongly Agree.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.16 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
18. Agreement with statements about news
[ All 2014 male participants ]
7 Disagree | Agree 8
STATEMENTS 1 2 3 4 5
It is very important
for me to get the news
every day
The source of news
is very important
to me
I prefer news stories
produced and selected by
professional journalists
News is news;
it doesn’t matter to me
who produced it
3.9
3.8
3.7
2.2
Average agreement ranking for each statement on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following statement, please tell me how much you
agree or disagree on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Strongly Disagree’ and 5 is ‘Strongly Agree.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.17 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
19. Agreement with statements about news
[ All 2014 female participants ]
7 Disagree | Agree 8
STATEMENTS 1 2 3 4 5
It is very important
for me to get the news
every day
The source of news
is very important
to me
I prefer news stories
produced and selected by
professional journalists
News is news;
it doesn’t matter to me
who produced it
4.0
4.0
3.8
2.3
Average agreement ranking for each statement on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following statement, please tell me how much you
agree or disagree on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Strongly Disagree’ and 5 is ‘Strongly Agree.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.18 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
20. Agreement with statements about news
[ All 2014 participants who were mobile media users ]
7 Disagree | Agree 8
STATEMENTS 1 2 3 4 5
It is very important
for me to get the news
every day
The source of news
is very important
to me
I prefer news stories
produced and selected by
professional journalists
News is news;
it doesn’t matter to me
who produced it
3.9
3.9
3.8
2.1
Average agreement ranking for each statement on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following statement, please tell me how much you
agree or disagree on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Strongly Disagree’ and 5 is ‘Strongly Agree.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.19 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
21. Agreement with statements about news
[ All 2014 participants who were not mobile media users ]
7 Disagree | Agree 8
STATEMENTS 1 2 3 4 5
It is very important
for me to get the news
every day
The source of news
is very important
to me
I prefer news stories
produced and selected by
professional journalists
News is news;
it doesn’t matter to me
who produced it
3.7
3.8
3.8
2.5
Average agreement ranking for each statement on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following statement, please tell me how much you
agree or disagree on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Strongly Disagree’ and 5 is ‘Strongly Agree.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.20 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
22. Agreement with statements about news
[ All 2014 participants who read news found on social media ]
7 Disagree | Agree 8
STATEMENTS 1 2 3 4 5
It is very important
for me to get the news
every day
The source of news
is very important
to me
I prefer news stories
produced and selected by
professional journalists
News is news;
it doesn’t matter to me
who produced it
3.9
3.9
3.8
2.1
Average agreement ranking for each statement on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following statement, please tell me how much you
agree or disagree on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Strongly Disagree’ and 5 is ‘Strongly Agree.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.21 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
23. Agreement with statements about news
[ All 2014 participants who were newspaper subscribers ]
7 Disagree | Agree 8
STATEMENTS 1 2 3 4 5
It is very important
for me to get the news
every day
The source of news
is very important
to me
I prefer news stories
produced and selected by
professional journalists
News is news;
it doesn’t matter to me
who produced it
4.2
4.0
4.0
2.1
Average agreement ranking for each statement on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following statement, please tell me how much you
agree or disagree on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Strongly Disagree’ and 5 is ‘Strongly Agree.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.22 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
24. Agreement with statements about news
[ All 2014 participants who were not newspaper subscribers ]
7 Disagree | Agree 8
STATEMENTS 1 2 3 4 5
It is very important
for me to get the news
every day
The source of news
is very important
to me
I prefer news stories
produced and selected by
professional journalists
News is news;
it doesn’t matter to me
who produced it
3.8
3.9
3.7
2.3
Average agreement ranking for each statement on a 1 to 5 scale
Participants were asked: “For each of the following statement, please tell me how much you
agree or disagree on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is ‘Strongly Disagree’ and 5 is ‘Strongly Agree.’ ”
Based on a random sampling of 1,191 U.S. adults in Q1 2014.
Donald W. Reynolds Journalism Institute CHART 9.23 Roger Fidler • 10/8/14
25. donald w. reynolds rji journalism institute
2014 RJI Mobile Media
News Consumption Survey
The intended purpose of these annual RJI sur veys is to gain
insights into who uses mobile media and ho w their uses for news
may change over time. The research reports can be found at:
www.rjionline.org/research/rji-mobile-media-project.
For more information, contact:
Roger Fidler
RJI Program Director for Digital Publishing
FidlerR@RJIonline.org
The Go-To Place for Ideas, Experiments, and Research • • • w ww.RJIonline.org