Poll Ranks CNN, Fox News Most Trustworthy

(May 4) -- CNN, which bills itself as "the most trusted name in news," gets some support for that claim from a new survey. But the poll done by "60 Minutes" and Vanity Fair shows Fox News a close second in trustworthiness.

Pollsters asked a random sample of 1,026 people nationwide which of the following they consider to be the most trustworthy source of daily news in the United States: CNN, Fox News, other major broadcast networks, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal or Comedy Central's "The Daily Show." MSNBC was not among the options given.

Six in 10 viewers picked one of the two cable news rivals, with 32 percent for CNN and 29 percent for Fox. Only 13 percent selected other networks, while 8 percent named the Times and 7 percent preferred the Journal. Comedian Jon Stewart's show was rated most trusted by only 4 percent.

"The numbers are staggering, and continue to prove that cable news has a relationship with viewers that is more comfortable and trusting than the other forms of news dissemination," said Mediaite's Steve Krakauer.

The poll highlights a clear difference in the political leanings of CNN and Fox fans. Fifty percent of Republicans voted for Fox, and 46 percent of Democrats said they trust CNN most. Still, 12 percent of Democrats favored Fox and 22 percent of Republicans preferred CNN.

Source: 60 Minutes / Vanity Fair

Two days before the survey results were released, President Barack Obama urged University of Michigan graduates to expose themselves to a variety of news sources.

"... if you're someone who only reads the editorial page of The New York Times, try glancing at the page of The Wall Street Journal once in a while. If you're a fan of Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh, try reading a few columns on the Huffington Post website," Obama advised in his commencement address Saturday. "It may make your blood boil; your mind may not be changed. But the practice of listening to opposing views is essential for effective citizenship."

Slate's William Saleton followed up on the president's appeal with this list of 10 ways to escape a partisan echo chamber.