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Political Polarization & Media Habits
BY AMY MITCHELL, JEFFREY GOTTFRIED, JOCELYN KILEY AND KATERINA EVA MATSA

Striking Differences Between Liberals and Conservatives, But They Also Share Common GroundWhen it comes to getting news about politics and government, liberals and conservatives inhabit different worlds. There is little overlap in the news sources they turn to and trust. And whether discussing politics online or with friends, they are more likely than others to interact with like-minded individuals, according to a new Pew Research Center study.

The project – part of a year-long effort to shed light on political polarization in America – looks at the ways people get information about government and politics in three different settings: the news media, social media and the way people talk about politics with friends and family. In all three areas, the study finds that those with the most consistent ideological views on the left and right have information streams that are distinct from those of individuals with more mixed political views – and very distinct from each other.

Overall, the study finds that consistent conservatives:

Are tightly clustered around a single news source, far more than any other group in the survey, with 47% citing Fox News as their main source for news about government and politics.
Express greater distrust than trust of 24 of the 36 news sources measured in the survey. At the same time, fully 88% of consistent conservatives trust Fox News.
Are, when on Facebook, more likely than those in other ideological groups to hear political opinions that are in line with their own views.
Are more likely to have friends who share their own political views. Two-thirds (66%) say most of their close friends share their views on government and politics.

By contrast, those with consistently liberal views:

Are less unified in their media loyalty; they rely on a greater range of news outlets, including some – like NPR and the New York Times– that others use far less.
Express more trust than distrust of 28 of the 36 news outlets in the survey. NPR, PBS and the BBC are the most trusted news sources for consistent liberals.
Are more likely than those in other ideological groups to block or “defriend” someone on a social network – as well as to end a personal friendship – because of politics.
Are more likely to follow issue-based groups, rather than political parties or candidates, in their Facebook feeds.

kalm wrote: Are more likely than those in other ideological groups to block or “defriend” someone on a social network – as well as to end a personal friendship – because of politics.

kalm wrote: By contrast, those with consistently liberal views:

Are less unified in their media loyalty; they rely on a greater range of news outlets, including some – like NPR and the New York Times– that others use far less.
Express more trust than distrust of 28 of the 36 news outlets in the survey. NPR, PBS and the BBC are the most trusted news sources for consistent liberals.
Are more likely than those in other ideological groups to block or “defriend” someone on a social network – as well as to end a personal friendship – because of politics.
Are more likely to follow issue-based groups, rather than political parties or candidates, in their Facebook feeds.

Grizalltheway wrote:You know, it could be your delivery, rather than your views themselves, that's causing that.

CAA Flagship wrote:

Grizalltheway wrote:You know, it could be your delivery, rather than your views themselves, that's causing that.

Shut Up

Grizalltheway wrote:

CAA Flagship wrote: Shut Up

Suck a fuck.

CAA Flagship wrote:

Grizalltheway wrote:You know, it could be your delivery, rather than your views themselves, that's causing that.

Shut Up

89Hen wrote:BTW, I find it interesting that the Daily Show and Colbert Report were both on this list. Seems like you libs here like to deny that many folks think they are real news shows.

AZGrizFan wrote:

kalm wrote: By contrast, those with consistently liberal views:

Are less unified in their media loyalty; they rely on a greater range of news outlets, including some – like NPR and the New York Times– that others use far less.
Express more trust than distrust of 28 of the 36 news outlets in the survey. NPR, PBS and the BBC are the most trusted news sources for consistent liberals.
Are more likely than those in other ideological groups to block or “defriend” someone on a social network – as well as to end a personal friendship – because of politics.
Are more likely to follow issue-based groups, rather than political parties or candidates, in their Facebook feeds.

Well duh. Of course libs trust 28 of 36 news outlets. News outlets are vastly (and openly) liberal in their presentation of the news, why WOULDN'T libs trust that?

And boy howdy about the FB comment. I find it utterly hilarious when liberal "friends" unfriend me on FB because of political comments. Hell, I've had FAMILY members unfriend me on FB because of political differences.

**** 'em.

AZGrizFan wrote:

kalm wrote: By contrast, those with consistently liberal views:

Are less unified in their media loyalty; they rely on a greater range of news outlets, including some – like NPR and the New York Times– that others use far less.
Express more trust than distrust of 28 of the 36 news outlets in the survey. NPR, PBS and the BBC are the most trusted news sources for consistent liberals.
Are more likely than those in other ideological groups to block or “defriend” someone on a social network – as well as to end a personal friendship – because of politics.
Are more likely to follow issue-based groups, rather than political parties or candidates, in their Facebook feeds.

Well duh. Of course libs trust 28 of 36 news outlets. News outlets are vastly (and openly) liberal in their presentation of the news, why WOULDN'T libs trust that?

And boy howdy about the FB comment. I find it utterly hilarious when liberal "friends" unfriend me on FB because of political comments. Hell, I've had FAMILY members unfriend me on FB because of political differences.

Fuck 'em.

Ivytalk wrote:

AZGrizFan wrote:

Well duh. Of course libs trust 28 of 36 news outlets. News outlets are vastly (and openly) liberal in their presentation of the news, why WOULDN'T libs trust that?

And boy howdy about the FB comment. I find it utterly hilarious when liberal "friends" unfriend me on FB because of political comments. Hell, I've had FAMILY members unfriend me on FB because of political differences.

**** 'em.

Spot on, AZ. I wear those FB de-friendings as a badge of honor!

89Hen wrote:

Ivytalk wrote: Spot on, AZ. I wear those FB de-friendings as a badge of honor!

I despise political FB postings. Why piss off half your friends every time you post?

89Hen wrote:

Ivytalk wrote: Spot on, AZ. I wear those FB de-friendings as a badge of honor!

I despise political FB postings. Why piss off half your friends every time you post?

AZGrizFan wrote:

89Hen wrote: I despise political FB postings. Why piss off half your friends every time you post?

Is that why you and I aren't FB friends?

89Hen wrote:

AZGrizFan wrote:
Is that why you and I aren't FB friends?

My brother is this || close to being unfriended. And he's on my side of the political spectrum.

89Hen wrote:BTW, I find it interesting that the Daily Show and Colbert Report were both on this list. Seems like you libs here like to deny that many folks think they are real news shows.

kalm wrote:

89Hen wrote:BTW, I find it interesting that the Daily Show and Colbert Report were both on this list. Seems like you libs here like to deny that many folks think they are real news shows.

They're as real as the infotainment shows on MSNBC and Fox...probably more so than CNN.

89Hen wrote:

kalm wrote:
They're as real as the infotainment shows on MSNBC and Fox...probably more so than CNN.

My how your tune has changed on this.

kalm wrote:

89Hen wrote: My how your tune has changed on this.

Has it?

Book marked?

Let's review!

GannonFan wrote:Well, if this does show anything, it could be that the conks are right in terms of which way the MSM swings. The conks always say that MSM tilts to the left politically. That would explain why they distrust much of MSM. Normally, the reaction would be "well, conks just being conks", which is fair to a point. But the study also shows that the normally liberal folks like most of the MSM. Normally, you'd say, "well, donks are just more open to different opinions and that's why they watch everything - they're more tolerant". However, that would appear to be negated by the study when you consider the study's findings that most liberals eschew opposing views as seen in their propensity to defriend people with dissenting views on FB. So maybe MSM really is left tilting.