University of Massachusetts Amherst

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UMass Poll cites partisan media & presidential rhetoric for recent violence & polls about the 2020 presidential candidates

A) A new poll conducted by UMass Amherst found that a notable percentage of state voters believe both President Donald Trump’s rhetoric and mass media practices played a role in the recent spate of violent incidents across the nation, although a greater number placed responsibility on the president. The UMass Poll also asked voters which media outlets they trust for their political information. The poll was conducted online by YouGov Nov. 7-14. Tatishe Nteta, director of the UMass Poll, and Raymond J. La Raja, associate director, offer comments on the findings. Partisanship colored respondents’ perceptions of the media. Only 11 percent of Democrats say they trusted Fox News compared to 64 percent of Republicans. In contrast, only 7 percent of Republicans say they trust CNN, while 67 percent of Democrats say they do. Among local sources of news, Democrats have significantly more trust than Republicans in the Boston Globe, WGBH and WBZ. (State House News Service, Politico, 11/27/18; News Office release)

 

B) There is national and regional coverage of the most recent findings of the UMass Poll. Politico reports that Sen. Edward Markey could face a strong challenge in 2020 from Maura Healey, the attorney general. Markey fares better against Rep. Seth Moulton. Among potential presidential candidates, Sen. Elizabeth Warren comes in third among Democratic and independent voters in Massachusetts. The poll also found that 68 percent of Massachusetts residents think things in the state are “generally going in the right direction” but the same number believe the country has “gotten pretty seriously off on the wrong track.” The poll also finds a notable percentage of state voters believe both President Donald Trump’s rhetoric and mass media practices played a role in the recent spate of violent incidents across the nation, although a greater number placed responsibility on the president. The UMass Poll also asked voters which media outlets they trust for their political information. The poll was conducted online by YouGov Nov. 7-14. (Politico, 11/28/18; Republican, Republican, 11/27/18; News Office release, News Office release, News Office assistance to Politico)

News Type: 

  • Faculty News