Global trust in news hits all‑time low, research shows

Tue Jun 16 2026 08:57:01 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A new study shows worldwide confidence in news is down to 37%, the lowest in a decade, with the UK at 30% and social media the preferred source.

The Reuters Institute reports a sharp decline in global news trust, falling to 37%—a three‑point drop from last year. In the UK trust hits 30%, a 20‑point fall over ten years, while the US stands at 25%. Social media has overtaken traditional outlets for most, though confidence in it is low at 22%. Despite increased use, AI chatbots and influencers remain peripheral. The rise of online news video suggests audiences want news that feels accessible and relevant.

Global trust in news hits all‑time low, research shows

Getty Images woman watches a video of US President Donald Trump with China's President Xi Jinping

According to the latest Reuters Institute survey, confidence in mainstream news worldwide has dropped to 37% – a three‑point decline from last year and the lowest figure since the study began in 2015.

The drop is stark in the United Kingdom, where trust sits at 30% – 20 points lower than a decade ago – and in the United States, overall trust is 25%, falling to just 15% among politically right‑leaning respondents.

More than half of respondents now get their news from third‑party platforms such as social media and video networks, although a similar number still use news websites and television. Traditional sources remain the most popular in the UK, yet worldwide audiences are increasingly turning to digital channels.

Confidence in social media as a news source is even lower, at 22% overall, and only 10% of participants say influencers meet most of their news needs, indicating a complementary role rather than a replacement. AI chatbots are trusted by 20% of responders, with weekly use growing from 7% to 10% overall and reaching 16% among those under 35.

Support for impartial news remains relatively high, dropping only 3% since 2020. Meanwhile, trust in major American outlets has declined markedly: CBS and Fox News saw a 10‑point drop in 2025, and CNN fell by six points.

Online news video is now mainstream, with 77% of respondents worldwide consuming it weekly and it outpacing broadcast TV news in most markets, except Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.

These findings, based on a survey of nearly 100,000 people across 48 markets, suggest audiences are seeking news that is more accessible, understandable and relevant to their everyday lives.

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