The debate escalated when Jarvis suggested Jennings was defending an outdated notion that news outlets could remain politically neutral. He referenced Walter Cronkite’s era as an example of trusted media coverage, but Jennings countered with recent Gallup polling showing public trust in U.S. media has dropped to historic lows.
Host Abby Phillips then interjected, claiming much of the distrust stems from conservative rhetoric, which stunned Jennings. “I’m sorry, you think it’s rhetoric and not the performance?” he asked. Phillips insisted it was, prompting Jennings to press his point further.
“The reason media outlets have lost trust is obvious. It’s about the product, not Donald Trump. To regain credibility, outlets need to present fair coverage that respects all Americans’ values and viewpoints,” Jennings explained.
Meanwhile, legacy media has begun reporting on scandals involving President Joe Biden and Democratic officials, decades after earlier coverage by other outlets. Editorial commentary criticized The New York Times for finally covering Hunter Biden’s alleged influence-peddling years after initial reports surfaced, noting that the timing made the revelations largely irrelevant politically.
As trust in legacy media continues to wane, the conversation over bias, accountability, and delayed reporting underscores the challenges facing the industry in regaining public confidence.
