Survey finds blogs are the least trusted source for news

4 May 2006 11:43 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Internet blogs are the least trusted source for getting news with one in two unable to say whether they trusted them according to a new survey conducted by the BBC, Reuters, and The Media Center.

The survey questioned whether people trust the media over the government.

The results showed that the Media is trusted by an average of 61 per cent compared to 52 per cent for governments across the countries polled although this number is even higher in developing countries.

The survey also found that uounger people polled use online sources most - being the first choice among 19 per cent aged between 18 and 24 compared to just three per cent in the 55 to 64 age range.

But the United States bucked the trend - with government ahead of media on trust (67% to 59%) along with Britain (51% to 47%).

Trust in media was highest amongst those polled in Nigeria (88% media to 34% government) followed by Indonesia (86% v 71%), India (82% v 66%), Egypt (74%, government not asked), and Russia (58% v 54%).

National televison was the most trusted news source overall - trusted by 82%, with 16% not trusting it) - followed by national/regional newspapers (75% v 19%), local newspapers (69% vs 23%), public radio (67% v 18%) and international satellite television (56% v 19%).

GlobeScan President Doug Miller, said: "The jury is still out on blogs - just as many people distrust them as trust them".

A total of 10,230 adults were questioned by GlobeScan in the UK, USA, Brazil, Egypt, Germany, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, Russia, and South Korea in March and April.

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