Americans don’t trust the news media. Polling data shows over and over that many Americans tend to believe the press is politically biased and not trustworthy. At the same time, it seems that our collective ability to engage in healthy, robust debate has also declined.

Is there a link between diminishing trust in the press and the dying art of public discourse? On this week’s episode, 20-year TV news veteran Glen Mills joins Nic Dunn for a status check on the health of public debate, and the state of one of the most important and impactful institutions of civil society: the news media.

Glen shares insights drawn from his decades of broadcast experience spanning Idaho, Wisconsin, Colorado and Utah, covering news, politics and more. The discussion showcases how the news industry has changed, how Americans’ ability to debate ideas has suffered, and some ideas for how to fix both.

Show notes:

• Confidence in U.S. Institutions Down; Average at New Low (gallup.com)
• Americans Remain Distrustful of Mass Media (gallup.com)
• News Media Viewed as Biased but Crucial to Democracy (gallup.com)
• Glen Mills | LinkedIn

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Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, equipping listeners to become more effective champions of sound principle and good policy. Visit defendingideas.org.