How the media can earn back America's trust

The useful part

The freedom of the press is one of America's greatest protections against unchecked power. Freedom carries responsibility, and journalism cannot demand the public's trust simply because the Constitution protects our right to publish. That responsibility has become more urgent as confidence in journalism has collapsed.

How it works

• Those numbers should trouble every journalist, editor, publisher and media owner in America.
• Party, the Democratic Party, corporate America or any ideological movement.
• Our obligation is not to protect politicians we admire or destroy those we dislike.
• Our responsibility is to pursue the truth and give citizens the information necessary to think for themselves.

Details worth keeping

Gallup reported last year that only 28 percent of Americans had a great deal or fair amount of confidence that newspapers, television and radio report the news fully, accurately and fairly, the lowest level since Gallup began asking the question in 1972. It is not to tell readers what they should think.