Most Americans believe that bad news is good for ratings, according to a survey conducted by market researcher, Synovate for Gimundo, in April. Almost twice as many surveyed believe that it is simply the nature of media to cover bad news over good.

Over 64 percent of the total respondents declared that, “It’s the nature of the news business to cover bad things.” Among respondents over 65, that number went up to 78 percent.

“Whether or not it’s true, the overwhelming perception among Americans is that there’s an institutional bias toward bad news within the media,” said Keith Cohn, Gimundo CEO. “We all know there’s a lot to be troubled about, but there’s also a lot to celebrate. There’s a hunger for good news, and it’s important that we examine why the good news is so underreported. Our poll offers some valuable insight into people’s perceptions about the way things are now and why.”

Additional results showed that twelve percent feel, “there isn’t enough good news to go around,” and just three percent said that, “hearing about bad things makes me feel better about my own situation.” Six percent selected “none of these.”

The higher the educational level, the more likely Americans are to believe that it’s in the media’s DNA. By a wide margin, people with high school education or less, are more than twice as likely as those with college or graduate degrees to say, “there isn't enough good news to go around.”