Do Journalists Need a College Degree? 56% Think It Would Be Good to Hire High School Graduates and Train Them

Posted on October 25, 2021 | by Staff Writer

Currently, most news organizations require journalists to have a college degree. However, 56% of voters believe it would be a good idea for news organizations to try something different: hire high school graduates and train them to be reporters. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that just 21% disagree and 23% are not sure.

Sixty percent (60%) of Democrats think hiring high school graduates would be a good idea. So do 56% of Republicans and 50% of Independent voters.

The concept was suggested recently in a post by Ed Morrissey.

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Note: Neither Scott Rasmussen, ScottRasmussen.com, nor RMG Research, Inc. have any affiliation with Rasmussen Reports. While Scott Rasmussen founded that firm, he left more than seven years ago and has had no involvement since that time.

Question:

Currently, most news organizations require journalists to have a college degree. Would it be a good idea for news organizations to hire high school graduates and train them to be reporters?

56% Yes

21% No

23% Not sure

Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on October 14-16, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

61% Believe Political Reporters Generally Report Their Team’s Talking Points Rather Than Facts

Posted on October 2, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Sixty-one percent (61%) of voters believe that political reporters focus more on presenting the talking points favored by their political party rather than presenting the facts of a situation. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 25% believe political reporters focus primarily on the facts and 15% are not sure.

Seventy-seven percent (77%) of Republicans believe reporters focus mostly on delivering their party’s talking points. Independents agree by a 63% to 17% margin.

However, Democrats are evenly divided: 42% say political reporters generally present the facts while 43% believe they focus more on talking points.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from September 2-5, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 151 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

19% Favor Reconciliation Tax Credit for Journalists; 54% Oppose

Posted on September 28, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Nineteen percent (19%) of voters favor a proposal providing a tax credit of up to $50,000 for print and online journalists. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 54% are opposed and 27% are not sure.

The proposal is part of the reconciliation package being considered by Congress. Just 6% Strongly Favor the idea and 36% are Strongly Opposed.

The proposal is at least somewhat supported by 30% of Democrats, 18% of Independents, and 10% of Republicans.

Those who favor policies like those of Senator Bernie Sanders like policies are evenly divided: 35% favor the tax credit and 36% are opposed. Those who prefer more traditional Democratic policies are opposed by a 2-to-1 margin.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen on September 24-25, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

7-Out-Of-10 Believe Racial and Ideological Diversity Important for a Newsroom

Posted on September 11, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Seventy-one percent (71%) of voters believe it is important for a news organization’s reporters to be racially and ethnically diverse. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that a slightly larger number–78%– for reporters of a news organization to be ideologically and politically diverse.

A majority of voters in every measured demographic group believes that both racial/ethic and ideological partisan diversity is important.

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Methodology

The margin of sampling error for the full sample is +/- 2.8 percentage points.

48% Believe News Networks More Interested in Building Influence and Power Rather Than Reporting News

Posted on August 11, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Forty-eight percent (48%) of voters believe news networks and personalities are more interested in building influence and power rather than accurately reporting the news. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 31% take the opposite view and believe the news outlets are more interested in accurate reporting.

As on most issues involving the media, Republicans are more skeptical than Democrats. By a 58% to 25% margin, Republicans believe news networks are most interested in building influence and power. Democrats are evenly divided.

Most voters with a postgraduate degree believe the news outlets prioritize accurate reporting. Most other voters disagree.

Data released earlier found that just 39% of voters believe reporters would honestly report information that contradicts their own partisan and ideological views.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,000 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from July 27-28, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 232 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

39% Believe Reporters Would Release Information That Contradicts Their Own Political Views

Posted on August 9, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

If a reporter uncovered some information that contradicted their ideological and partisan political views, just 39% of voters believe they would report that information honestly. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 34% believe they would hide it and 27% are not sure.

By a 50% to 26% margin, Democrats believe journalists would report the information even if it contradicted their own views. By a 45% to 31% margin, Republicans take the opposite view. They tend to believe that reporters would hide the information to protect their ideological and partisan views. Independent voters are evenly divided.

Not surprisingly, voters who prefer Trump-like policies are skeptical. By a 47% to 30% margin, they believe the reporters would hide the information. The much smaller number of voters who prefer traditional Republican policies are evenly divided: 41% believe the information would be reported and 38% believe it would be hidden.

Most urban voters believe reporters would release the information even though it contradicted their own views. A plurality of rural voters take the opposite view and suburban voters are evenly divided.

Two-thirds (64%) of voters with a postgraduate degree trust the reporters to release the information. Among all other voters, opinion is fairly evenly divided.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,000 Registered Voters was conducted online by Scott Rasmussen from July 26-27, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

29% Believe Social Media Companies Provide Neutral Platform

Posted on August 1, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Just 29% of voters believe large social media companies like YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter provide a neutral platform for everyone to use. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 51% believe they give a preference to content they approve of and penalize content expressing different views. Twenty percent (20%) are not sure.

When viewing content on social media, 51% have been notified by their social media platform that the content provides information that may not be reliable. Thirty-three percent (33%) have not.

Nearly half of all voters (46%) say they personally know someone who has been temporarily or permanently banned from a social media platform. A nearly identical number–45%– do not.

Republicans, by a 66% to 19% margin, believe the social media companies give preference to content they like while Democrats are evenly divided on the question. Among Independent voters, just 25% believe social media companies provide a neutral platform while 48% take the opposite view.

Those with a postgraduate degree are evenly divided on the question. Most other voters believe the social media platforms penalize content expressing different views.

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Methodology

34% Believe Reporters At Least Try to Be Objective

Posted on July 6, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Thirty-four percent (34%) of voters believe that most reporters today try to overcome their personal biases and report accurately on what they see. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 46% believe most reporters don’t even bother trying to overcome their personal biases.

A plurality of Democrats (49%) think most reporters try to be objective. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of Republicans disagree.

In recent years, a number of organizations have been created to fact check the media. However, practitioners of this journalistic style are no more trusted than other reporters. Only 30% believe these organizations stick to the facts in a neutral manner. Forty-seven percent (47%) believe they display a partisan bias.

People with a post-graduate degree tend to be more trusting of both reporters and fact-checkers.

Data released earlier showed voters are also skeptical of social media companies. Forty-seven percent (47%) believe social media companies actively supported Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Just 10% believe they actively supported Donald Trump.

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Methodology

The online survey of 1,000 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen on June 29-30, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

9% Believe Journalists Were Right to Dismiss Lab Leak Theory

Posted on June 16, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Just 9% of voters believe journalists were right to dismiss the possibility that the coronavirus began in a Wuhan, China laboratory. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that another 22% see no ill intent in the media coverage. That includes 12% who consider the dismissal a serious but innocent mistake and 10% who think the journalists were misled by government officials.

However, 40% believe the journalists’ behavior was not so innocent. Twenty-seven percent (27%) believe journalists rejected the lab leak theory because Donald Trump suggested it. Another 7% blamed partisan political considerations while 6% cited a media desire to protect the Chinese government.

Twenty-three percent (23%) are not sure how to explain it and 6% offered some other reason.

Most Republicans (55%) believe the journalists refused to cover it because Trump suggested the idea or for other partisan political reasons. On the other hand, 45% of Democrats see no ill intent.

The survey also found that 71% are following news about the lab leak topic. That includes 31% who are following it Very Closely.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from June 10-12, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 232 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

Plurality Has Never Heard of the Term “Woke”

Posted on June 2, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Forty-five percent (45%) of voters have either never heard of the term “woke” (32%) or don’t know enough about it to have an opinion (13%). A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 30% of voters consider themselves to be woke and 25% say they’re not.

People who are online constantly are far more likely to consider themselves “woke” than other voters.

Urban voters are more likely than suburban or rural voters to see themselves as “woke.”

Additionally, an open ended question about what being “woke” means suggests that few see it in the way the term is understood in political circles. The responses of those who consider themselves “woke” are highlighted in the word cloud below.

This is one of many terms that have a somewhat clearly understood meaning in the political world that is not recognized by the general public.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,500 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from May 20-22, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 216 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, internet usage, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

Just 28% of Georgians Know Delta, Coke Oppose State’s New Election Law

Posted on April 6, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Just 28% of Georgia residents know that Delta and Coca-Cola have come out in opposition to Georgia’s new election law. A Scott Rasmussen survey found that 27% mistakenly believe Coca Cola favors the law. Twenty-three percent (23%) think the same about Delta.

In both cases, roughly half of all Georgia residents are either unsure or believe the two companies have not taken a position on the issue.

Forty-one percent (41%) favor the decision of Major League Baseball to move the All-Star game out of Atlanta while 34% oppose the decision.

Nationally, 59% believe companies taking positions on political issues adds to the divisiveness in America.

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Methodology

The online survey of 1,000 Adults in Georgia was conducted by Scott Rasmussen from April 2-6, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Respondents were selected through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, and political party to reasonably reflect the state’s population. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

49% Believe Restricting Free Speech Worse Than Spreading Fake News, 38% Disagree

Posted on February 10, 2021 | by Scott Rasmussen

Forty-nine percent (49%) of voters worry more about giving the federal government power to restrict free speech than about the dangers of spreading fake news and disinformation. A Scott Rasmussen national survey found that 38% disagree and worry more about fake news. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure.

The survey results highlight significant partisan and ideological differences. Republicans, by a 60% to 34% margin, are more worried about giving the federal government power to restrict free speech and determine which news is appropriate to publish. Independent voters, by a 46% to 33% margin, tend to share that view. Democrats, however, are divided on the question. A narrow plurality (46%) worry more about fake news while 41% are more concerned about restricting free speech.

Ideologically, most conservatives are more worried about restricting free speech. Moderate and Somewhat Liberal voters are divided, but narrowly express a greater concern about restricting free speech. Very Liberal voters take the opposite view. By a 49% to 39% margin, those voters worry more about the spread of fake news and disinformation.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from February 4-6, 2021. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Most respondents were contacted online or via text while 197 were contacted using automated phone polling techniques. Online respondents were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied, and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.

For News Organization, 47% Say Diversity of Thought Matters More Than Demographic Diversity

Posted on December 1, 2020 | by Scott Rasmussen

When it comes to the staff for a news service, 47% of voters believe diversity of thought and opinion is more important than diversity along racial, ethnic, gender, and other demographic lines. A Political IQ survey found that 30% disagree and believe demographic diversity is more important. Twenty-three percent (23%) are not sure which matters the most.

Democrats are evenly divided on this question. However, Republicans and Independents tend to see diversity of thought as more important.

Fifty-one percent (51%) of Hispanic voters and 48% of White voters view diversity of thought as more important. Black voters, by a 48% to 35% margin, take the opposite view.

The survey, conducted by Scott Rasmussen, also found that 47% believe it is possible to have diversity of thought and opinion without demographic diversity. Twenty-nine percent (29%) disagree and believe demographic diversity is needed to have diversity of thought.

By a 58% to 23% margin, those who see diversity of thought as more important also believe it is possible to have such diversity without also having demographic diversity. Those who see demographic diversity as more important on evenly divided on that point.

Finally, by a 52% to 25% margin, voters tend to believe that demographic diversity does not guarantee diversity of thought and opinion. They believe it is possible for a demographically diverse news organization to still present a single ideological perspective with no diversity of thought and opinion.

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Methodology

The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Scott Rasmussen from November 27-28, 2020. Field work for the survey was conducted by RMG Research, Inc. Respondents were contacted online or via text. They were selected from a list of Registered Voters and through a process of Random Digital Engagement. Certain quotas were applied and the sample was lightly weighted by geography, gender, age, race, education, and political party to reasonably reflect the nation’s population of Registered Voters. Other variables were reviewed to ensure that the final sample is representative of that population.