SmartNews Launches Trustmark Award Honoring America’s Most Trusted Journalists and Newsrooms
August 26, 2025
Fox News, Walter Cronkite and Lester Holt among the first honorees
PALO ALTO, Calif. (August 26, 2025) – SmartNews, a global leader in news discovery, today announced the launch of Trustmark, a new awards program honoring the most trusted news outlets and journalists as chosen by the American people. Based on a nationwide survey, SmartNews is recognizing the voices, both current and historic, that Americans trust the most.
The honorees for 2025 are:
Most Trusted News Outlets
| Most Trusted Current Journalists | Most Trusted Journalists Of All Time |
Fox News CNN ABC NBC CBS MSNBC The New York Times NPR Associated Press PBS | Lester Holt David Muir Anderson Cooper Rachel Maddow Tucker Carlson Sean Hannity Bret Baier Wolf Blitzer Dan Rather Don Lemon | Walter Cronkite Dan Rather Lester Holt Al Roker Barbara Walters Anderson Cooper Tom Brokaw Sean Hannity Tucker Carlson Peter Jennings |
In an era defined by information overload and skepticism, Trustmark was created to spotlight the journalists and newsrooms that Americans don’t just encounter or follow, but deeply trust. These awards serve as a meaningful acknowledgment of the individuals and organizations that have inspired lasting trust and connection with their audiences. Beyond celebration, this initiative underscores the indispensable role they play in deepening public knowledge and strengthening the information systems that underpin the foundation of the United States.
“In today’s media landscape, trust is the most valuable currency,” said Ryosuke Saito of SmartNews. “Trustmark recognizes the individuals and outlets that have earned the public’s confidence, not merely through reporting, but through their consistent service to truth and understanding. With millions of engaged readers across the country and the political spectrum, SmartNews is uniquely positioned to honor those whose dedication and integrity have garnered the enduring respect of the American people.”
The Trustmark awards list will be updated annually based on public polling to reflect shifts in how Americans consume and trust their news.
Methodology
Data was collected from a survey of 1,284 U.S. adults.
About SmartNews
Founded in 2012, SmartNews is a leading global information and news discovery company, dedicated to delivering quality information to the people who need it. SmartNews provides news that matters to millions of users thanks to its unique machine learning technology and relationships with more than 3,000 global publisher partners.
Media Contact:
Bateman Agency for SmartNews
