In the same survey, Americans were asked what types of international news they were interested in. Of the choices they were given, experts giving their opinions ranked last, while 79% of respondents said they wanted more background information.

So why is there an expert being interviewed every time you turn on the TV?

Unfortunately for news consumers, it is cheaper for the media companies to get experts to express opinions than it is to pay producers, editors, reporters and camera operators to do the types of reporting Americans are most interested in: live coverage and background research.