NCVS Knight and Bozell, originally uploaded by Colleen O’Boyle.

Check out these alarming statistics from the Culture and Media Institute’s new National Culture Values Survey:

Americans believe the nation is in moral decline, and that the news and entertainment media are major contributors to the slide.

• 74 percent, including majorities of every major demographic group, say they believe moral values in America are weaker than they were 20 years ago.

• 48 percent say moral values are much weaker than they were 20 years ago.

‚Ä¢ 68 percent, including majorities of virtually every demographic group, say the media — entertainment and news alike — are having a detrimental effect on moral values in America.

• 64 percent agree the news and entertainment media exercise powerful influence over American moral values. In fact, the substantial majority (74 percent) who believe moral values are weaker than twenty years ago consider the media to be the second greatest influence on moral values after parents and families.

Jonathan Perkins was on hand to for the press conference with Robert Knight and Brent Bozell (in the above photo by Michelle S. Humphrey) and has a report on Townhall. Other coverage available from the Washington Times, Christian Post, Cybercast News Service and NewsBusters.