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TOP LINE
New research suggests TV channel viewers trust to receive their news significantly affects how they rate the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, with Fox News viewers more likely to approve the federal government’s handling of the virus and be less anxious about the pandemic.
Last month, President Trump took part in a Fox News virtual town hall with anchor Bill Hemmer.
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HIGHLIGHTS
According to Horowitz Research, 44% of Americans have a positive perception of the measures taken by the federal government to manage the coronavirus pandemic – this number goes to 71% for viewers who have flagged Fox News as one of their trusted sources for news on current events.
Nearly 65% of viewers who trust Fox News said feel personally prepared for the pandemic, while only 57% of those who trust other TV news channels feel the same way.
The study found that those who trust Fox News are also almost half less likely trust coronavirus information from the World Health Organization than viewers who trust other networks.
The people who trust Fox News are also more than twice as likely have a negative perception how the media is covering the coronavirus pandemic and is less likely to consider independent journalism important to keep the public informed, according to the study.
According to another poll released Wednesday, 45% of frequent Fox News viewers think fewer Americans died than what is recorded – although experts say the current tally of more than 33,000 dead in the United States from Friday morning is “almost certainly an undercount.”
The publication of the study comes as Fox News is face a backlash for minimize risks of the virus and was charged with spread false information and pandemic conspiracy theories—even to be prosecuted by a non-profit group.
CRUCIAL QUOTE
“There are clear differences in the perception of how the coronavirus crisis is unfolding between Americans who trust Fox News and those who trust other sources,” said Adriana Waterston, senior vice president of ‘Insights and Strategy for Horowitz Research, in A declaration. “These data underscore just how different Fox News’ coverage of the crisis is from that of other reputable news sources covering the crisis. Hopefully, these differences in coverage don’t result in complacency about how bad this situation is for these viewers.
TANGENT
According to Horowitz Research study, nearly half of people who trust stations other than Fox News believe the coronavirus will or could affect discrimination against Asian Americans, compared to less than 30% viewers who trust Fox News with the same opinions. This despite a report increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans since the start of the pandemic, which has seen the Asia-Pacific Policy and Planning Council report that they and their partner groups have received more than 1,500 reports of hate incidents since mid-March, just a month ago.
KEY CONTEXT
Since its founding in 1996, Fox News has been associated with American conservatism. On Tuesday, Fox News asked a Washington state judge to launch a lawsuit accusing the network of spreading false information about the coronavirus to the point of asking a public health threat. According to the Washington League for Greater Transparency and Ethics, the nonprofit that filed the lawsuit, Fox news “intentionally and maliciouslyspread false information that downplayed the very real danger of the coronavirus pandemic and violated state consumer protection law. The average age of Fox News viewers is 65, which puts them in a population more at risk for serious complications due to the coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
On the same day the lawsuit was filed, more than 70 working journalists and journalism professors accused Fox News management of violating basic principles journalism ethics spread false information on the pandemic in an open letter. A poll released this week said nearly half of Americans who watch Fox News say the official coronavirus death toll is exaggerated.
FURTHER READING
COVID-19: The crisis through two lenses (Horowitz Research)
Trump and Fox News: The dangerous relationship shaping America’s coronavirus response (The Guardian)
Fox News asks court to file lawsuit calling network a public health risk (The hill)
New poll: Nearly half of frequent Fox viewers say COVID-19 death toll is inflated (Media Matters)
