In a notable shift in media consumption, social media and video networks have emerged as the leading sources of news in the United States, outpacing traditional television channels and news websites, according to recent research from the Reuters Institute. The study shows that over half (54%) of respondents now turn to platforms such as Facebook, X, and YouTube for news, compared to 50% relying on television and 48% on news sites and apps.
The report highlights that this trend is not just limited to the US, but the changes are occurring more rapidly and with greater impact compared to other regions. Among the most influential figures in this landscape is podcaster Joe Rogan, whose content reached nearly a quarter (22%) of the American population in the week surveyed. Nic Newman, the report's author, emphasized that the rise of social media and personality-driven news presents a significant challenge to traditional news outlets.
Additionally, the report notes a concerning trend where politicians are increasingly opting for interviews with sympathetic online hosts rather than engaging with mainstream journalists. This shift enables populist leaders globally to circumvent traditional journalistic scrutiny, often collaborating with influential figures who may not challenge their narratives, resulting in the dissemination of misleading information.
Over half of the global respondents (47%) identified online influencers and personalities as significant sources of misinformation, ranking them alongside politicians. The report points out that the usage of the platform X for news purposes is stable or on the rise in numerous regions, particularly in the US, where users self-identifying as right-leaning have soared since the platform's acquisition by Elon Musk in 2022. Conversely, some more progressive users have decreased their engagement with the platform.
Emerging rivals such as Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon have made minimal impact, with their news reach remaining at or below 2%. Other findings from the report reveal that TikTok is rapidly gaining traction, with 17% of people globally now using it as a news source, marking a 4% increase from the previous year. Furthermore, the use of AI chatbots for news is on the rise, especially among individuals under 25, despite widespread concerns regarding the potential decrease in transparency, accuracy, and trustworthiness that AI might bring.
Overall, while the demand for news continues to grow, many still value established brands known for accuracy, even if their consumption habits are changing. The report, now in its 14th year, surveyed close to 100,000 individuals across 48 countries, illuminating a dynamic period for media and journalism.
