More recently than ever, social media platforms and video-sharing networks have overtaken traditional TV and news websites as the dominant source of news for many people around the world. This is according to a new report by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.
For instance, in the United States, over half (54%) of the population now rely on platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube for news — surpassing television (50%) and news websites or apps (48%).
The report, authored by Nic Newman, attributes this shift to the rapid rise of social video and personality-driven content, which he describes as “another significant challenge for traditional publishers.”
“The rise of social media and personality-based news is not unique to the United States,” the report notes, “but changes seem to be happening faster – and with more impact – than in other countries.”
One concerning trend highlighted is the growing preference of populist politicians worldwide to engage with sympathetic online hosts instead of facing questions from mainstream journalists. These personalities and influencers often receive exclusive access but rarely challenge their guests, contributing to the spread of misinformation.
Indeed, nearly half (47%) of people globally cited online influencers and political figures as major sources of false or misleading information. Nigeria has also witnessed a fair share of over-dependent social media users among its younger population.
Despite the emergence of alternative platforms like Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon, their global impact remains minimal — each reaching just 2% or less of the population for news consumption.
Other Interesting Findings Include:
– That TikTok has become the fastest-growing news platform, with 17% of users globally now turning to the app for news, marking a 4% increase in the past year.
– AI-powered chatbots are increasingly used to access news, especially among those under 25, who are twice as likely as the general population to rely on AI tools.
– Despite their convenience, most respondents believe AI will reduce the transparency, accuracy, and trustworthiness of news.
– Across all generations, trust in established media brands remains strong, even as their frequency of use declines.
Now in its 14th year, the Digital News Report surveyed nearly 100,000 people across 48 countries, offering one of the most comprehensive snapshots of evolving news consumption habits in the digital age.
