In this paper, I will discuss media credibility and the two ways it is categorized: the first focuses on how different media affect the viewers’ perception of credibility and the second examines the viewers’ preconceived ideas, their demographics, etc. as having more of an effect on their perception of credibility. My research will focus on the latter. After reviewing the related literature and recent survey results from Pew Research that show a declining level of trust in the government and the media among Republicans, I hypothesize there will be a significant statistical difference regarding the perceived credibility of a news story between survey respondents who identify as Republican and those who identify as non-Republican. After surveying two semesters’ worth of mass communication students, I will compare the difference between political affiliations. I hope to demonstrate a significant statistical difference between self-defined conservative and liberal students in terms of their evaluation of the credibility of a constructed news story.
