Majorities in Both Parties Say Media Criticism Keeps Politicians in Check

Most Americans – including majorities of both Republicans and Democrats – say criticism from news organizations keeps political leaders from doing things that they shouldn’t, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in August.

Overall, 80% of Americans express this view, up from 75% in September 2025. Another 16% say such criticism keeps political leaders from doing their job.

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80% of Americans say criticism from news organizations keeps political leaders from doing things they shouldn’t

% of U.S. adults who say criticism from news organizations keeps political leaders from doing things that shouldn’t be done

Note: Survey data is from Pew Research Center’s American Trends Panel (2016-2026) and Center phone surveys (1986-2013). Survey methodology and question wording have changed over time. Surveys in 1985, 1989 and 1998 that did not ask independents whether they lean toward the Democratic Party or Republican Party are excluded from party analysis. Refer to the detailed responses for more details.

Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Aug. 24-30, 2026.

PEW RESEARCH CENTER

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80% of Americans say criticism from news organizations keeps political leaders from doing things they shouldn’t

% of U.S. adults who say criticism from news organizations keeps political leaders from doing things that shouldn’t be done

	All U.S. adults	Rep/Lean Rep	Dem/Lean Dem
8/2026	80	73	89
9/2025	75	66	86
9/2024	74	67	81
3/2019	68	50	82
3/2018	65	42	84
3/2017	70	48	88
2/2016	75	77	74
7/2013	68	69	70
7/2011	58	61	57
7/2009	62	66	59
7/2007	58	47	70
11/2005	62	43	73
6/2005	60	44	75
7/2003	54	49	58
7/2002	59	54	68
11/2001	55	49	63
9/2001	60	51	68
2/1999	58	67	55
2/1998	55
1/1994	66	70	64
8/1989	68
7/1985	67

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Note: Survey data is from Pew Research Center’s American Trends Panel (2016-2026) and Center phone surveys (1986-2013). Survey methodology and question wording have changed over time. Surveys in 1985, 1989 and 1998 that did not ask independents whether they lean toward the Democratic Party or Republican Party are excluded from party analysis. Refer to the detailed responses for more details.

Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Aug. 24-30, 2026.

PEW RESEARCH CENTER

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Large majorities among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents (89%) and Republicans and Republican leaners (73%) say the news media’s so-called “watchdog role” helps keep political leaders in check. Views do not vary meaningfully by age or political ideology within the parties.

Since the early 2000s, Republicans’ and Democrats’ views of the news media’s watchdog role have often shifted depending on which party controls the presidency. Supporters of each party tend to become more likely to say the media helps keep political leaders in check when the president is a member of the other party.

But the latest Republican trend does not follow that pattern neatly. In September 2024, during the last year of Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration, 67% of Republicans said criticism from news organizations helped keep political leaders in check. Today, under Republican President Donald Trump, 73% express that view.

The share of Democrats who say this also has increased since 2024, from 81% to 89%.

Meanwhile, trust in information from national and local news organizations has also slightly increased since 2025 among both Republicans and Democrats. This is a reversal after years of declining trust, particularly among Republicans.

Note: Here are the survey questions used for this analysis, the detailed responses and the methodology.