Recent research indicates a significant shift in how Americans consume news, favoring social media platforms over traditional television and news websites.
**Social Media Surpasses Traditional Media as US's Primary News Source**
**Social Media Surpasses Traditional Media as US's Primary News Source**
A recent report reveals that more Americans are turning to social media for news over traditional outlets.
Social media and video platforms have officially taken the lead as the primary news source in the United States, now surpassing traditional television channels and news websites. According to the latest findings from the Reuters Institute, over half (54%) of Americans are getting their news from social networks like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube, compared to 50% from television and 48% from news websites and apps.
The report highlights that the trend of social media and personality-driven news is not exclusive to the US but is manifesting more rapidly and with greater consequences than in other parts of the world. Notably, popular podcaster Joe Rogan emerged as the most recognized figure, with 22% of the population encountering his content focused on news and commentary in just one week.
Nic Newman, the report's author, emphasized that the rise of social video platforms and personality-led news is creating significant challenges for traditional media entities. The report further notes that some politicians are increasingly opting to engage with sympathetic online hosts over mainstream media, allowing them to circumvent traditional journalism and create a more favorable narrative, often leading to the spread of misinformation.
Globally, 47% of respondents cited online influencers and personalities as significant sources of misleading information, directly equating their reliability with that of politicians. Usage of X for news is either stable or increasing across various markets, particularly in the United States where a substantial shift was observed following Elon Musk's acquisition in 2022. The right-leaning demographic on X has notably tripled, while some more progressive users are either logging off or reducing their activity.
Emerging platforms such as Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon are struggling to make a significant impact on the news landscape, currently reaching only 2% or less of the news audience. TikTok is highlighted as the fastest-growing social network for news, with its usage rising to 17%, an increase of four percentage points year-on-year.
Moreover, AI chatbots are becoming increasingly popular for obtaining news, especially among younger demographics. Despite this growing trend, many individuals maintain concerns that AI might compromise the transparency, accuracy, and trustworthiness of news. Nevertheless, there remains a collective appreciation across generations for established news brands known for their reliability, even as consumption patterns continue to evolve. The report, now in its 14th year, surveyed nearly 100,000 individuals across 48 countries, capturing the pivotal changes in global news consumption habits.
The report highlights that the trend of social media and personality-driven news is not exclusive to the US but is manifesting more rapidly and with greater consequences than in other parts of the world. Notably, popular podcaster Joe Rogan emerged as the most recognized figure, with 22% of the population encountering his content focused on news and commentary in just one week.
Nic Newman, the report's author, emphasized that the rise of social video platforms and personality-led news is creating significant challenges for traditional media entities. The report further notes that some politicians are increasingly opting to engage with sympathetic online hosts over mainstream media, allowing them to circumvent traditional journalism and create a more favorable narrative, often leading to the spread of misinformation.
Globally, 47% of respondents cited online influencers and personalities as significant sources of misleading information, directly equating their reliability with that of politicians. Usage of X for news is either stable or increasing across various markets, particularly in the United States where a substantial shift was observed following Elon Musk's acquisition in 2022. The right-leaning demographic on X has notably tripled, while some more progressive users are either logging off or reducing their activity.
Emerging platforms such as Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon are struggling to make a significant impact on the news landscape, currently reaching only 2% or less of the news audience. TikTok is highlighted as the fastest-growing social network for news, with its usage rising to 17%, an increase of four percentage points year-on-year.
Moreover, AI chatbots are becoming increasingly popular for obtaining news, especially among younger demographics. Despite this growing trend, many individuals maintain concerns that AI might compromise the transparency, accuracy, and trustworthiness of news. Nevertheless, there remains a collective appreciation across generations for established news brands known for their reliability, even as consumption patterns continue to evolve. The report, now in its 14th year, surveyed nearly 100,000 individuals across 48 countries, capturing the pivotal changes in global news consumption habits.
