A survey found that 73 percent of American adults find it important for journalists to act as watchdogs over politicians, although there was a divergence of opinion when considering the political affiliation of the participants. Republicans were less inclined to find the watchdog role to be important, with 36 percent of Republicans surveyed stating it was not important, compared to just 15 percent of Democrats.
Importance of journalists serving as watchdogs over elected leaders according to adults in the United States as of November 2019, by political affiliation
Characteristic
Not important to serve as watchdogs
Important to serve as watchdogs
Total adults
25%
73%
Republican/ Lean Rep
36%
61%
Democrat/ Lean Dem
15%
83%
0%20%40%60%80%100%
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Chart type
Importance of journalists serving as watchdogs over elected leaders according to adults in the United States as of November 2019, by political affiliation
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respondents who did not give an answer are not shown
Method of interview
Online survey
Supplementary notes
Question: Thinking beyond the current political environment, do you think that it is important or not important for journalists to serve as watchdogs over elected leaders?
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Pew Research Center. (February 26, 2020). Importance of journalists serving as watchdogs over elected leaders according to adults in the United States as of November 2019, by political affiliation [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved March 16, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1129910/value-of-journalists-as-watchdogs-us/
Pew Research Center. "Importance of journalists serving as watchdogs over elected leaders according to adults in the United States as of November 2019, by political affiliation ." Chart. February 26, 2020. Statista. Accessed March 16, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1129910/value-of-journalists-as-watchdogs-us/
Pew Research Center. (2020). Importance of journalists serving as watchdogs over elected leaders according to adults in the United States as of November 2019, by political affiliation . Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: March 16, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1129910/value-of-journalists-as-watchdogs-us/
Pew Research Center. "Importance of Journalists Serving as Watchdogs over Elected Leaders According to Adults in The United States as of November 2019, by Political Affiliation ." Statista, Statista Inc., 26 Feb 2020, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1129910/value-of-journalists-as-watchdogs-us/
Pew Research Center, Importance of journalists serving as watchdogs over elected leaders according to adults in the United States as of November 2019, by political affiliation Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1129910/value-of-journalists-as-watchdogs-us/ (last visited March 16, 2025)
Importance of journalists serving as watchdogs over elected leaders according to adults in the United States as of November 2019, by political affiliation [Graph], Pew Research Center, February 26, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1129910/value-of-journalists-as-watchdogs-us/
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