Social media age shocker? On politics, newspapers get more respect.

A new survey of likely voters in the 2012 election confirms what many media watchers have been tracking for some time: trust in national media, particularly newer forms such as blogs and social media, is extremely low, hovering between six and 13 percent.

The most reliable source of election news, as gauged in this January survey of 1,000 cell and land-line phone respondents – are print newspapers, with 22 percent of respondents saying they are trustworthy. Broadcast and cable TV came in a close second, nestled right at 21 percent, while talk radio and Internet news sites ranked much lower. According to the report released and sponsored by the man behind craigslist, Craig Newmark himself, fewer than a quarter of those who took the time to answer questions felt that election news coverage was reliable.