The United States is the oldest continuous democracy in the world, and a model and inspiration for other nations seeking to build democratic institutions. One of the core pillars of American liberty is a free press. Pew conducts opinion surveys that track public attitudes toward the press and politics. At the same time, Pew issues major reports that examine long-term trends in the political values of Americans, as well as their views on policy issues and priorities, political knowledge, and news interest.
