A new study released by the University of Maryland shows American voters to be vastly misinformed. Even worse, the same study points to the media as the cause of much of this misinformation. The study involved a poll of 616 self-reported voters in the week after the 2010 midterm election. Voters were asked where they get their news from, and then asked about a number of verifiable facts. For instance, voters were asked whether the TARP program, otherwise known as the bailout, was started under President Bush or President Obama. Over 40% of respondents said President Obama started TARP even though TARP was signed into law by President Bush on October 3rd of 2008. This sort of misinformation within the American electorate shows up again, and again, and again in crucial areas of public policy.
Below are the highlights of the Maryland study on the most important issues of the 2010 election:
- 53% of Americans believe that President Obama was the only President responsible for the bailout of Chrysler and GM. In December of 2008 the Bush administration distributed $17.4 billion ot the auto industry as part of the TARP program.
- 68% of Americans said the stimulus package saved or created only a few jobs. 20% said that the stimulus caused a loss of jobs. Only 8% said the stimulus saved or created millions of jobs. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the stimulus saved or created anywhere between 2.0 to 5.2 million jobs. A survey of economist from The Wall Street Journal found that the stimulus had a "net positive effect" on growth.
- 53% of Americans believe the health care reform law will increase the deficit. According to the CBO the Affordable Care Act will reduce the deficit by $124 billion through 2019.
- 55% of voters believe that the economy is getting worse. The U.S. Bureau of Economist had the American GDP growing by 2.5% over the last quarter. The average Americans income grew by 0.5% over the month of October.
- 54% of voters said the stimulus created no tax cuts. In fact, approximately one-third of stimulus was made up of tax cuts including the Making Work Pay Credit worth $400, an Earned Income Credit, a First Time Homebuyer Credit worth $8,000.
- Only 10% of voters believe their taxes have gone down under President Obama. In fact, over 97% of Americans paid less in taxes in the Obama administration then they did under the Bush administration. 38% of voters believed their taxes went up under the Obama administration.
- 20% of voters believe that the troop levels in Afghanistan have gone down under President Obama. Another 23% believe troop levels have stayed the same. In 2008 there were approximately 33,000 troops in Afghanistan. In November of 2010 there were 90,000 troops in Afghanistan.
The most controversial part of the study comes at the end. MSNBC and NPR audiences were found to be least misinformed on the basic questions of fact. The study points to Fox News as the chief misinformer among the three major cable news outlets. The following is a list of instances in which Fox News viewers were more likely to be misinformed on a given issue:
- most economists estimate the stimulus caused job losses (12 points more likely)
- most economists have estimated the health care law will worsen the deficit (31 points)
- the economy is getting worse (26 points)
- most scientists do not agree that climate change is occurring (30 points)
- the stimulus legislation did not include any tax cuts (14 points)
- their own income taxes have gone up (14 points)
- the auto bailout only occurred under Obama (13 points)
- when TARP came up for a vote most Republicans opposed it (12 points)
- and that it is not clear that Obama was born in the United States (31 points)
Even more revealing, people who watched Fox News multiple times a day or everyday were found to be more misinformed than those who just watched Fox News occasionally. Among those who watched Fox News almost every day:
- 72% believe the economy is getting worse.
- 49% believe their taxes have gone up under President Obama.
- 63% believe the stimulus did not create any tax cuts.
- 47% believe that TARP was passed into law and signed by President Obama.
Some critics of the study might argue that the researchers were bias in determining what responses were "true" or "false." In their defense, the researchers stated they used objective sources, such as The Wall Street Journal survey of economists, in order to determine the veracity of various claims. The Wall Street Journal is actually considered a more conservative newspaper.
Comments
And those that watch MSNBC are wrong all the time. Or the Dan Rather network where they just make it up.
Or that the democrats say 100% of the time both wars are illegal when in fact they are the most legal wars in world history.
Making democrats 100% wrong all the time. (:
You obviously do watch Fox News, and it shows.
Still haven't taken that basic reading comprehension class, huh, FourSlantRight?
Or did you just jerk your knee to the headline and not even read: "MSNBC and NPR audiences were found to be least misinformed on the basic questions of fact."??
Witt, isn't this the same folks who have done similar studies in the past and found pretty much the same thing, consistently?
Fantastic!! Only a University type could come up with such a conclusion. And we pay dearly to send out children to such colleges. Who is deciding what facts?? What truths?? Is this God speaking????
Yes, I'm informed. Plus I read over 30 national and international papers per day.
@ ////
Yes you read over 30 national and international papers per day but are you certified? To a progressive your informed status means nothing unless you have credentials and can attest to full certification to the progressive agenda?
Sorry but to the progressive you are just an uniformed shlub.
30 national and international papers per day?
30 times 1 hour equals 30 hours per day
did you mean 30 headline stories on goggle news?
If I get all the answers right will I get a Christmas ornament with a picture of Mao on it, just like the Obama's have? Huh, will I? Ask me about Barry's favorite color...I know, I know.
@ Yawn... "Or did you just jerk your knee to the headline and not even read: "MSNBC and NPR audiences were found to be least misinformed on the basic questions of fact."??"
It says, "least misinformed." That means not as misinformed, or more well informed. It appears that it is YOU who cannot read.
um... puppy... FourSlant began by claiming ",,,those that watch MSNBC are wrong all the time..."
Which clearly is contrary to the article.
Now go back in the corner, find that old newspaper, and continue your house-breaking training.
You are a typical fox automaton.
You are a typical Fox News Automaton
This comment, submitted by "four slashmarks", has to have been produced by the middle-school mind of a typical Fox viewer and, thereby, substantiates the work of the U of Md study. Especially important to note is the writer's complete failure to engage in any of the study's points. The Wall Street Journal's opinion page--no surprise here--is just as truculently dishonest as Fox news is.
manipulate the data much? what a crock.
How would you know, you are manipulated every day with the lies of Fox Fake News, Da!
wow you're just as smart as a bag of hammers. This is a University study therefore it must be peer reviewed, have sources, raw data with the details of the study. This site is just merely stating some of the details of the study. Find the full paper then after reading it you can make outlandish statements. It wont give you anymore credibility having read it but you might actually learn something like I don't know... what an objective scientific study looks like? This is a study from a place of higher education and therefore they can't shovel out crap like what all of the major news channels in the U.S. do
You were given the gift of thought, use it a little better.
"A student" when you grow up and enter the real world. You'll realize how much of what your University is shoveling on you is a load crap. Until then enjoy your naivete. Time of your life kid.
It's so ironic how FOX news watchers hate higher-education because it is "propaganda".
hey why not a piece on how Kieth Olbermann shut down his twitter page because feminists are upset over how he released the name of a potential rape victim, his poo-pooing of the charges and his complete meltdown when questioned on it? What, no, only fawning coverage for the biggest tool on TV, sorry, my apologies.
hey I hear Glenn is selling gold covered food with seeds inside, that should be a weeks worth of articles right there. Add a dash of Palin, a sprinkling of FOX news and just a hint of how awesome John Stewrat and you'll be set for a month.
this website is very good, you can go and see it
shoes4world dot com
There was 2 TARPs. One as stated and TARP II signed by Obama.
With that mistake I will take the rest of the report with the grain of salt it deserves.
TARP II was signed by Obama? Really? On what date? Let me guess.. you watch fox news, since you don't seem to know basic facts or comprehend that TARP II is just the code word for the second half of the original TARP signed into law by G.W. Bush in Oct. 3 2008. It's the same exact thing, but hey, I guess the propaganda catapults over at fox news are working so morons like you think obama actually signed some magical tarp II law.
Tarp II? That's absolute crap! That's the best drivel you could come up with to bring Obama down? "Heh heh Tarp 2 was signed by Obama." God no one in this country does any research or have any understanding of our politics it's no wonder our whole government is so stupid... because our general population is stupid.
The following sites give the information on Tarp2.
npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100534817
newhomessection.com/blog/treasury-and-federal-reserve-tarp-2-details-financial-stability-plan/2009/02/10/
"Timothy Geithner outlined details of Tarp II today, a plan to spend the remaining $350 billion in TARP funds to jumpstart programs that could end up costing taxpayers as much as $2 trillion. The new plan promises more regulation and transparency, and consists of three main steps"
huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/29/krugman-slams-obama-plan_n_162239.html
"On Thursday, news came out that Treasury officials are planning a second bank bailout -- one that could cost another $1 to $2 trillion.
In a blog post titled simply "Bad," New York Times columnist Paul Krugman calls the proposal "Hankie Pankie II," and writes:"
Fools will be fools and will not change.
OK yeah Ryan, but what color nail polish does Sarah Palin have on this week? I bet you don't know Mr. smarty pants.
I always know. I get the Sarah Palin Newsletter. Sarah tells us 2 weeks in advance what her nail color will be.
Of course they would say that when viewed throught the distorted lens of a progressive political framework. And what brought about this misinformed conundrum? You guessed it. A progressive political framework.
Did you ever think the people in Soviet Union were informed? I hope not because Stalin was as progressive as they came and if a soviet ever came around to being informed they were either shot or sent of to the gulag to starve.
When you have your liberty you are no longer misinformed. Our government caused this mess.
Wait, are you really saying that Obama's progressive agenda is responsible for the viewers of Fox News being more misinformed than viewers of other networks? Do you realize how ridiculous that sounds?
"When you have your liberty you are no longer misinformed." Does this mean that NPR listeners have more liberty than FoxNews viewers?
"When you have your liberty you are no longer misinformed." Wow really I never knew that. I thought we were no longer misinformed when we questioned our media and our government over their actions and the information they present to us. You obviously must believe everything the media tells you right because you have your liberty here in this country so obviously you aren't misinformed. So why question any news outlet?
Wonder why we have all this crap going on about our media? Its because we don't QUESTION it to ensure it is OBJECTIVE like what this study is trying to DO!
It is questioning the validity of these networks and obviously they aren't all that valid even if you didn't read this study. I'm sorry but its true I can find hundreds of documented instances when ANY (not specifically FOX but them more so then others) news channel has stated false information, incorrect data, and out of context quotes to further their political objective. That goes to both the left wing media AND right wing media.
There is no such thing as fair and balanced media in this country and its sad and pathetic. We're like petulant children bickering on the school ground over who is more right...
Just pathetic...
Anon, Let’s see NPR fires Juan Williams for an honest assessment of his feelings Does that sound like NPR wants to inform the public or silence a person with a different liberal viewpoint? Hmmmm.
ARGGG, You believe the MSM is bringing you information for your questioning, telling you anything when in fact they do not report? Hmmmm.
Tyranny is a gift from the people, and often results from censorship of information leading to the gradual handing over of individual rights. I say information is power. Progressives take power from the people and give it to the government. Really big government. They will lie and misinform to do that. That is what both of you are doing right now.
This isn't about poor people or rich people. This is about power. And it is the fundamental fight for the soul of this country, that is, whether the power belongs to the people or the government.
This is a struggle about whether we as a people should remain free with all the rights of liberty bestowed upon a just and free society or whether we are to be placed in bondage to a government that cares not about your liberty or freedom but only administering in favor of the political class and people that occupy the high places. Right now I place you in the category of favoring a political class.
Go home you goobers. The TEA party is taking it back. They watch Fox.
@ Klatoo - "Progressives take power from the people and give it to the government. Really big government. " And repubs/tea baggers take power from the people and give it to the oil/financial/pharma cartels and the uber wealthy. What's the difference?
Dangit Lori! I knew you had an flippin' inside track on this one!
I was told by a friend that something called "Wise Health Insurance" is offering health insurance plans starting just $1 a day. That is some thing we all can agree.
I wonder who their control group was, and how informed or misinformed they were in comparison to the Fox viewers?
If they were trying to produce a serious study and one without researcher bias, there should have been something to compare to.
95% of the 976 people who get their news from MSDNCLGBT think that both Ralph Madcow and Kweefer Olderman are of the male species.
68% of MSDNCLGBT viewers get a chill up their leg when they hear Obama speak.
You're right; there is definitely a fool in charge - of your brain--
This is a push poll designed to mislead respondents and propagandize results for the benefit of the progressive leftists.
For instance, there are two TARPs, both were approved by and acted positively on by Obama. One as Senator and both as President. The question pushes but doesn't distinguish.
The respondent hears the question as: Is Obama responsible for TARP, and the answer to that is yes, but unless the respondent specifies: "Yes, Senator Obama helped enact TARP 1 in the Bush Administration". he is technically wrong.
The entire poll is designed to misdirect respondents to wrong answers unless they are familiar with extreme leftist talking points designed to blame Obama/leftist failures on others, usually Bush.
Claiming the ARRA was "TARP II" is ignorant at best and a deliberate lie at worst.
Completely different objectives and structures.
Snoozy opines "Claiming the ARRA was "TARP II" is ignorant at best and a deliberate lie at worst."
People in the regime were using that term as well as media types all over the spectrum.
li'l blank, spinning by calling it something it is not doesn't turn it into what it isn't.
It just makes you look like a lying propagandist.
Before you make accusations of the researchers, please look at the actual research model:
http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/pdf/dec10/Misinformation_Dec10_qu...
and report:
http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/pdf/dec10/Misinformation_Dec10_rp...
The researchers are obviously tendentious Obama flaks. They for instance code people as misinformed if they think the stimulus failed or if they believe Obamacare has increased the national debt.
In other words, only a deluded sheeple is informed. That's how Paul Krugman ended up being an economic advisor for ENRON and how "liberals" seem to have never been "informed" of that fact.
If you watch Fox "News" do not click on the above links!!! Don't be fooled by all these fancy facts!!!
Palin in 2012!!!
So, were you ever going to disclose that this fine "study" was paid for with Tides Foundation money? And who funds Tides? Just George Soros. I'm willing to bet that this Soros character has an axe to grind with Fox News.
Why don't you try to do some real reporting Witt, and tell the WHOLE story about this "study". Why are you just cherry picking parts to "report" and leaving hard cold facts about who paid for this "study"?
This is why you "enlightened Progressives" just aren't believed anymore. You just can't be trusted.
You lie. It's that simple.
Everyone reports it was done at University of Maryland by a group called "World Public Survey".
They state on their website:
"The WorldPublicOpinion.org network is a consortium of research centers studying public opinion on international issues in their respective countries."
The consortium that is assigned to OUR country and therefore funded this study is a group called "Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA)".
First, haven't you wondered why these groups are hiding behind the University of Maryland? Maybe we should see who runs PIPA?
This group is funded by (among others) The Rockefeller Group chaired by David Rockefeller Jr. You should recognize the family name of Rockefeller unless you live under a rock. Their family became wealthy through Standard Oil group. They also have a long standing relationship with JP Morgan Chase. David Rockefeller Jr's uncle is Nelson Rockefeller who at one time was the Vice President of the US. He was also the Gov. of NY. During his time as Governor, Nelson mentored a man named Richard Parsons who eventually followed him to Washington DC when he became Vice President, beginning a long relationship between the two. Richard Parsons was eventually appointed as Chairman and CEO of Time Warner Group (who OWNS CNN) by none other than Lawrence Rockefeller, Nelson's brother.
He is also Chairman at Citigroup. In addition to that, Parsons was appointed by George W Bush to co-chair a commission on Social Security. The Bush family has ties with the Rockefeller family way back to the days of Standard Oil. If all these connections aren't enough, Parsons served on the Mayoral transition team of Michael Bloomberg who owns Bloomberg LP, one of the worlds foremost media information services companies who provide news to The New York Times, USA Today, etc.
Doesn't anyone think it's strange that the very competitors of FOX funded this study?
Except, of course, your Soros claim has no substance.
From the study itself:
"This study was made possible by grants from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the Ford Foundation."
Both organizations are hated by self-proclaimed conservatives, but they have reputations for funding studies into the declining public dialogue and keeping their hands off the results.
What's being missed is the study suggests the misinformation may be more a factor of the deceptive political ads run on Fox than the Fox news programs.
NOW we know what SPIN is!
li'l blank, you don't even know your own name, much less anything else.
A "study" from the University of Maryland (http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/articles/brunitedstatescanadara/6...) is fundamentally dishonest since it was created to make the Demwit sheeple think they are better than tea partiers. It is government funded propaganda. It's conclusion is that FOX News viewers are ill informed and in Leftover blogflatulence the inferences drawn are that no one need debate anyone who watches FOX and perhaps FOX viewers should not have their votes counted.
In reality for years better studies by the PEW Foundation have shown that ALL cable news audience are less informed than people who listen to talk radio or read newspaper websites
CNN viewers are as badly informed as FOX; on the other hand Rush Limbaugh listeners are as well informed as NPR listeners
http://people-press.org/report/319/public-knowledge-of-current-affairs-l...
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