Teens Reject Today’s News as Trump Intensifies His Assault on the Press

December 9, 2025

A recent study by the News Literacy Project reveals that an overwhelming majority of American teenagers view news media as dishonest and fake, with 84% using negative descriptors and many believing journalists regularly fabricate information. This erosion of trust coincides with intensified attacks on journalism from the Trump administration, including public insults toward reporters, federal investigations into major networks, and a White House website labeling journalists as biased. Against this backdrop of declining media credibility and political pressure, the Black Press of America, represented by the National Newspaper Publishers Association, recently celebrated its 198-year legacy of serving communities and advocating for justice.

Who is affected

American teenagers (particularly the 84% who distrust news media)
Journalists and reporters (especially those targeted by presidential attacks)
Individual reporters named publicly (Bloomberg reporter, Asian American journalist, Black reporters, disabled reporters)
Major broadcast networks under FCC investigation
ABC and Jimmy Kimmel (suspension following FCC targeting)
Media companies facing lawsuits and regulatory pressure
The Washington Post and other outlets listed on the White House "biased" journalist website
Newsmax and conservative media outlets
National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and over 200 Black-owned publications
The general public seeking trustworthy information

What action is being taken

The Trump administration is insulting reporters, pressuring media executives, and encouraging regulatory punishment of newsrooms
The FCC is launching investigations into nearly every major broadcast network
Trump is suing newspapers, broadcasters, and social media companies
The White House is maintaining a website cataloging and ranking journalists it considers biased
The Black Press of America and NNPA continue operating with their mission to document and defend Black life
NNPA is celebrating 198 years of African American publishing through events like Black Press Day

Why it matters

This represents a fundamental threat to democracy and an informed society. When the vast majority of teenagers believe news media is fake and dishonest, an entire generation becomes vulnerable to manipulation, conspiracy theories, and propaganda. The simultaneous escalation of governmental attacks on press freedom—through public intimidation, regulatory investigations, lawsuits, and official websites targeting journalists—creates a chilling effect that undermines journalism's constitutional role as a check on power. The erosion of public trust combined with institutional pressure threatens the foundational democratic principle of a free press holding government accountable.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint