Americans Immersed in COVID-19 News; Most Think Media Are Doing Fairly Well Covering It
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Even as Americans say they are getting consistent facts from their news sources, many are not immune from campaigns of made-up news related to COVID-19. About half of U.S. adults (48%) report having come across at least some news and information about the virus that seemed completely made up, with 12% saying they have seen a lot of it and 35% saying they have seen some. About a third (32%) have not seen much, while 20% say that've not seen any at all.
This mix of information seems to have led to some confusion about the outbreak. When asked about the origin of the current strain of the virus, roughly four-in-ten (43%) correctly answered that it 
The high level of attention to news about the pandemic cuts across both parties, but disagreement arises in views of the job the news media are doing. Eight-in-ten Democrats and Democratic leaners say the news media are doing very or somewhat well covering the outbreak. While still a majority, this falls 21 percentage points among Republicans and those who lean Republican (59%); four-in-ten say the media are doing not too or not at all well.
What's more, a vast majority of Republicans (76%) say the news media have exaggerated the risks associated with the virus – 53% greatly and 24% slightly – while far fewer (17%) say the media have gotten it about right. Democrats, on the other hand, are much more likely than Republicans to think the news media have gotten the level of risk about right (41%). Still, Democrats are most likely to say the risks have been exaggerated (22% greatly, 27% slightly).
When it comes to the specific news sources one turns to most, Republicans offer much more positive views than the news media more generally. About three-quarters of Republicans (77%) say their own sources are doing very or fairly well at covering the outbreak. Democrats' assessments of their own sources are more in line with their views of the media overall.
Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say they've seen made-up news related to the virus, but larger differences emerge in responses to two questions about COVID-19. On the origin of the virus, about half of Democrats (52%) correctly indicate that it most likely came about naturally, compared with 37% of Republicans. Republicans, on the other hand, are about twice as likely as Democrats to say it was developed intentionally in a lab (30% vs. 16%). About a quarter of both groups say they aren't sure. And when asked about the possibility for a vaccine, the largest portion of both political groups echo the views of public health experts by answering that it would not be available for at least a year (44% of Republicans and Republican leaners and 54% of Democrats and Democratic leaners). But Republicans are more likely than Democrats to say a vaccine will be ready in the next few months: 28% compared with 17%.
One difference that stands out within party is based on the media diet, particularly on the right. Among 30 news outlets asked about in an earlier survey, Republicans who got political news only from outlets whose audiences lean right politically are more likely than Republicans with other media diets to think the news media have greatly exaggerated the risks associated with the virus and to think COVID-19 was created intentionally in a lab. (Details on the 30 news outlets and the audience compositions can be found here.) Some differences also emerge within Democrats based on media diet. Those who don't get news from any outlets with left-leaning audiences in some cases stand part from Democrats with other media diets, including thinking the virus was created intentionally by humans.
