In the latest sign that major American media outlets are losing the public’s support, a majority believe it is appropriate for politicians to criticize reporters and hold them to the same scrutiny as those they cover.

A new Rasmussen Reports survey also said most voters believe the average journalist is liberal, and few are conservative.

The survey is an indictment of the media at a time when liberal outlets such as CNN and the New York Times are stepping up their attack on President Trump and congressional Republicans.

....I don’t want to Win for myself, I only want to Win for the people. The New @FoxNews is letting millions of GREAT people down! We have to start looking for a new News Outlet. Fox isn’t working for us anymore! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 28, 2019

The outlets are also complaining about Trump’s criticism of them and called out Trump surrogates who are using social media to point out the bias of journalists.

But, said Rasmussen, voters believe that reporters are fair game for criticism.

The survey analysis said 61% of likely U.S. voters think reporters at major news organizations like CNN, Fox News, and the New York Times are public figures who deserve scrutiny. Some 19% disagree.

Other good polls also in fifties, despite only Fake News, and then phony polls by A.P., CNN, NBC and, as always, Fox, who were WAY OFF on 2016 Election! https://t.co/DksmF8hTr7 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 24, 2019

Significantly, 51% said “it is appropriate for elected officials to criticize specific reporters and news organizations,” Rasmussen reported in the survey shared with Secrets before its release. Another 39% view the criticism as a threat to freedom of the press.

That is slightly higher than the 48% who said criticism from politicians was OK back in February 2017 when Trump began singling out news organizations that were attacking him.

And the public continues to view journalists as liberal. The survey said 47% believe the typical reporter is more liberal than they are. Just 19% of voters believe reporters are more conservative than they are.