(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the United States are questioning how their country’s media outlets will approach this year’s presidential election, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 49 per cent of respondents think reporters will try to help Democrat Barack Obama, while 14 per cent believe they will attempt to assist Republican John McCain. Only 24 per cent of respondents expect unbiased coverage.

In addition, 43 per cent of respondents say they trust family or friends more when it comes to information about the presidential campaign, while 29 per cent favour news reporters.

McCain has become the presumptive Republican Party presidential nominee in 2008, while Obama clinched the Democratic Party’s nomination on Jun. 3.

On Jul. 22, McCain advisor Mark Salter discussed the state of the campaign, saying, "I would contend that the facts will show that Obama gets 50 per cent more attention in the news than McCain does, post the primaries. I don’t know if that is good or bad for us."

Incumbent George W. Bush is ineligible for a third term in office. The U.S. presidential election is scheduled for Nov. 4.

Polling Data

Looking ahead to the campaign between Barack Obama and John McCain, will most reporters try to help Barack Obama, offer unbiased coverage, or try to help John McCain?

When it comes to information about the presidential campaign, who do you trust more—news reporters or family and friends?

Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 American likely voters, conducted on Jul. 19, 2008. Margin of error is 3 per cent.

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