To investigate the nature, content, and validity of criticisms of the news media and to determine whether these criticisms are made objectively, a study surveyed 550 members of the Mass Media and Society Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC). Response rate was 41%. Questions examined statements about the news media and their performance, ten well-known news media critics, and demographics of the respondents. The following news media critics were covered in the survey: Ben Bagdikian; Edwin Diamond; Edith Efron; Jeff Greenfield; Reed Irvine; Norman Isaacs; Ron Power; Richard Reeves; David Shaw; and Cal Thomas. Results indicated that respondents' knowledge or lack of knowledge about the news critics had a significant bearing on how they answered questions dealing with the critics. Results showed, moreover, that many journalism educators lacked knowledge about news media critics even though the critics are widely publicized and published. (Seven tables of data are included.) (MM)