Trust in the media among Americans has been steadily declining over the past many years.

According to the results of a recent survey conducted by Gallup, only 34 percent of American adults feel that the media broadcasts the news ‘completely, correctly, and fairly.’

And even if the level of trust held by Americans in the media continues to drop from year to year, members of the media never stop trying to persuade consumers that they are “not the enemy of the people.’

Philadelphia news journalist Jim Gardner used his final words to defend the business before he signed off.

The 46-year veteran gave viewers his ‘last word,’ which featured a story about Thomas Jefferson’s support for press freedom and advice on ‘unbiased journalism.’

When Gardner covered the riots at Columbia University in 1968, his career officially got underway.

After graduating from Columbia University two years later, in 1970, he started working at WINS Radio in New York.

Before switching to television, he would work in radio for a number of more years.He began working for Philadelphia’s WPVI-TV in 1976 as a reporter and the host of Action News at Noon.

The following year, he took over as the anchor for the broadcasts at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. He made his final exit nearly five decades later, leaving viewers with a poignant message.

‘We are not the people’s enemies.’
’Elements ingrained in our own society and even our own government have been attacking the free press in the United States, not by forces from other nations.

I’m quite concerned about it,’ he remarked. Serving the tri-state region’s citizens with ethical and objective journalism. We will continue to pursue this goal, said Gardner.

‘And you darn well better let us know if we fall short, for your benefit and for ours.’