Last update: 12:05 p.m. EST Dec. 16, 2008

NEW YORK, Dec 16, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ – - New Poll Conducted by Opinion Research Corporation Says Yes -

An overwhelming 77 percent of Americans believe that the US media is making the economic situation worse by projecting fear into people’s minds. The majority of those surveyed feel that the financial press, by focusing on and embellishing negative news, is damaging consumer confidence and damping investment, making a difficult situation much worse.

Richard L. Scheff, a national expert on corporate liability and white collar crime issues, warns media that they could potentially be exposed to liability despite apparent constitutional protections:

"Although statements by the media are protected by the First Amendment,