There’s an old adage that a journalist’s most valuable asset is reputation. After this election, many media outlets may have to file for bankruptcy because of their lacking reputations.

Americans’ confidence in the media “to report the news fully, accurately and fairly” is at an all-time low. Only 32 percent trust them, a September Gallup poll found. Pollsters blame “lower standards for journalism” in presidential campaign coverage for “corroding Americans’ trust and confidence.”