Americans Blame Ad Agencies, Media for Current Crisis

Two-thirds of Americans (66%) believe ad agencies have at least some responsibility for the current economic crisis because they caused people to buy things they couldn’t afford, according to (pdf) findings from a Harris Interactive poll completed earlier this month.

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Media Close Behind

The media is not far behind ad agencies when it comes to responsibility, the survey also found. Nearly three in five Americans (59%) say print media - such as newspapers and magazines - deserve at last some responsibility for the economic crisis, while 56% assign at least some of the blame to news and information websites.

Just more than half of Americans say talk shows on TV or radio (55%), cable news programs (54%) and network and local news programs (53%) all have at least some responsibility for the current economic crisis because they caused people to buy things they couldn’t afford, Harris said.

Nearly Half Blame Friends and Family

Though many Americans are quick to point the finger at the media and ad agencies, a significant number also are willing to look at those closer to home. Nearly half (46%) assign some of the blame for the economic crisis to their friends and family, though the majority of Americans (54%) still say their personal circle of influence bears no responsibility.

Age Divide Over Blame

The poll also found an age divide over who is to blame for the economic crisis, Harris reported. People ages 55+ are more likely to blame the five media categories and the advertising agencies. In contrast, those ages 18-34 are less likely to say these six groups have at least some responsibility and are more likely to blame their friends and family.

For example, three-quarters of the older age group (75%) say advertising agencies have at least some responsibility compared to three in five (60%) 18-34 year olds. When it comes to print media, two-thirds of those ages 55+ (67%) say they have at least some responsibility while just half of the younger age group (51%) say print media has at least some responsibility.

About the survey: This Harris Poll was conducted online within the US between March 31 and April 1, 2009 among 2,220 adults (ages 18+) who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel. Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population.

Comments

[Dave Wrixon]

Americans probably have difficult differentiating between Adverts and News. If the populous is incapable of making this differentiation then regulation needs to be tightened up to assist them until the education gap is narrowed sufficiently to enable them to cope in a unfettered information environment.

2009 Apr 20 12:26 PM

[Dave Wrixon]

You should know.


On Apr 20 11:42 AM Cetin Hakimoglu wrote:

> Not surprising considering the job of ad agencies is to hype

2009 Apr 20 12:27 PM

[wavelength]

Would this be the same majority who believe that the wealthy and self-employed in America pay less than the average in taxes, despite the fact the 42% of Americans (the poorest), pay no taxes at all? The reality disconnect is almost unfathomable. I belong to a book group. I am the only conservative. The other 7 women have post-grad educations and simply refuse to believe me when I tell them that US small business is the highest taxed in the developed world (well 24 states anyway, the rest are only the 2nd highest taxed), and that the US tax system is actually one of the most progressive in the world (i.e. the more you earn, the more you pay). As I am an ex-pat they roll their eyes and tell me I have not lived in the US long enough to understand that these statistics are meaningless. They also don't accept that the bailouts have cost more than the war in Iraq. They all make their living off other people's taxes. I agree with Mr Wrixon that many misconceptions arise from lack of education. However, it also seems that many very educacted and intelligent people are so invested in left wing ideology that economic cause and effect will forever escape them. Throw in the luxury of a government job and there is little incentive to engage with reality.

2009 Apr 20 01:01 PM

[Jason Rines (iThinkBig)]

Part of that is the encapsulation effect. Yes, those still employed will of course defend there bread-winning turf. Same for the elite bankers. Same of the small business guy. It's somewhat of a mute debate at the end of the day, there won't be choice in the matter of major restructuring of America. Just some will wake up the hard way later and some have woken up to it already.


On Apr 20 01:01 PM wavelength wrote:

> Would this be the same majority who believe that the wealthy and
> self-employed in America pay less than the average in taxes, despite
> the fact the 42% of Americans (the poorest), pay no taxes at all?
> The reality disconnect is almost unfathomable. I belong to a book
> group. I am the only conservative. The other 7 women have post-grad
> educations and simply refuse to believe me when I tell them that
> US small business is the highest taxed in the developed world (well
> 24 states anyway, the rest are only the 2nd highest taxed), and that
> the US tax system is actually one of the most progressive in the
> world (i.e. the more you earn, the more you pay). As I am an ex-pat
> they roll their eyes and tell me I have not lived in the US long
> enough to understand that these statistics are meaningless. They
> also don't accept that the bailouts have cost more than the war in
> Iraq. They all make their living off other people's taxes. I agree
> with Mr Wrixon that many misconceptions arise from lack of education.
> However, it also seems that many very educacted and intelligent people
> are so invested in left wing ideology that economic cause and effect
> will forever escape them. Throw in the luxury of a government job
> and there is little incentive to engage with reality.

2009 Apr 20 04:31 PM

[Jason Rines (iThinkBig)]

Where is government or the financial system fit in? This survey is like asking all of you on a scale of 1-10 how much you blame bad wrappers on an ice cream cone for melting too soon when we should be discussing the sun and the humidity.

2009 Apr 20 04:33 PM

[conceptwizard]

President Andrew Jackson's caution: "But you must remember, my fellow-citizens, that eternal vigilance by the people is the price of liberty, and that you must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing. It behooves you, therefore, to be watchful in your States as well as in the Federal Government."

Instead, we seem only too willing to passively accept worsening peril rather than to courageously press for radical changes so that their nation can be set on a new and better course.

This in mind, we must in unison begin to soon insist that human and planetary well being be valued, along with profits. If not, we and future generations will all pay the price -- one that will, without doubt, be far too great to bear.

2009 Apr 20 10:28 PM

[Al-USA]

"
Where is government or the financial system fit in?
"

That's what I was wondering as well. What kind of a useless poll is this? They conduct a useless poll with "bad" choices and then they parade it out to the masses to "brainwash" them into thinking they caused it by living "beyond their means" meanwhile, the "silent" coup by the American Oligarchy is proceeding as plan: all under the radar of the clueless masses... Unbelievable.

Banks Counted on Looting America’s Coffers
tinyurl.com/bkezmt

The Quiet (American) Coup
www.theatlantic.com/do...

Welcome to America, the World's Scariest Emerging Market
www.washingtonpost.com...

Following the A.I.G. Money
www.nytimes.com/2009/0...

Obama’s Ersatz Capitalism
www.nytimes.com/2009/0...

Bank bailout may hurt taxpayers, be open to fraud
finance.yahoo.com/news...=

2009 Apr 21 12:54 AM

[iamhope]

It seems the responsibility rests with everyone except the people who bought things they could not afford. Sad.

2009 Apr 21 02:48 AM

[Sisspam]

Interesting that there was not an option on the "who to blame" titled "YOURSELF". No person or organization can force people to buy things they can't afford. This survey is a wonderful example of the consumer entitlement that got us deeply in this mess in the first place.

2009 Apr 21 09:33 AM

[oldfolkdancer]

And when she was questioned as to why she told Adam to eat from the tree of knowledge, Eve said the serpent made her do it. So Adam and Eve were thrown out of Paradise and the serpent was condemned to crawling on his belly for the rest of his life. But he still manages to get people into trouble doesn't he? :)

2009 Apr 21 09:46 AM

[Allan Frain]

"Da Devil Made Me Buy This Dress !"

-Flip Wilson (aka Geraldine)

if you're under 50--never mind

2009 Apr 21 02:52 PM