The Reuters Institute report indicates that more than half of U.S. citizens now rely on platforms like Facebook and YouTube for news, challenging the efficacy of traditional journalism.
Social Media Surpasses Traditional News Sources in the US, Research Reveals
Social Media Surpasses Traditional News Sources in the US, Research Reveals
A new study highlights the dominance of social media platforms in news consumption among Americans.
Social media and video platforms have overtaken conventional television and news websites as the primary source of news for many Americans, according to recent research by the Reuters Institute. The study reveals that 54% of the U.S. population turns to social networks such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube for their news, compared to 50% who rely on TV and 48% who use news applications and websites.
The report suggests that the trend toward social media and personality-driven news may be more pronounced in the United States than in other countries. Joe Rogan, a prominent podcaster, emerged as the most recognized media personality, with roughly 22% of Americans stating they had encountered his content in the previous week. Nic Newman, the study’s author, emphasized that this shift poses significant challenges for traditional news organizations.
Moreover, the study notes a growing tendency among politicians to favor interviews with online influencers rather than conventional reporters, potentially bypassing difficult questions. The research warns that populist leaders globally exploit partisan platforms and friendly media faces, often leading to the dissemination of misleading information. About 47% of respondents flagged online influencers as a notable source of misinformation, paralleling concerns about politicians.
Interestingly, usage patterns on X have seen notable shifts since Elon Musk's acquisition in 2022, drawing a larger conservative audience while many progressive users have diminished their engagement. In the U.S., conservative user identification on the platform has tripled following Musk's ownership.
Despite the rise of platforms like TikTok and new networks such as Threads and Bluesky, their global impact for news consumption remains minimal, with TikTok used for news by 17% of respondents. Usage of AI chatbots for news updates is also on the rise, especially among younger users, although there are concerns about the overall trustworthiness and accuracy of news accessed through such means.
The report is part of its 14th annual cycle and surveyed nearly 100,000 individuals across 48 countries, highlighting the continued preference for trusted news brands despite a downturn in traditional news engagement.
The report suggests that the trend toward social media and personality-driven news may be more pronounced in the United States than in other countries. Joe Rogan, a prominent podcaster, emerged as the most recognized media personality, with roughly 22% of Americans stating they had encountered his content in the previous week. Nic Newman, the study’s author, emphasized that this shift poses significant challenges for traditional news organizations.
Moreover, the study notes a growing tendency among politicians to favor interviews with online influencers rather than conventional reporters, potentially bypassing difficult questions. The research warns that populist leaders globally exploit partisan platforms and friendly media faces, often leading to the dissemination of misleading information. About 47% of respondents flagged online influencers as a notable source of misinformation, paralleling concerns about politicians.
Interestingly, usage patterns on X have seen notable shifts since Elon Musk's acquisition in 2022, drawing a larger conservative audience while many progressive users have diminished their engagement. In the U.S., conservative user identification on the platform has tripled following Musk's ownership.
Despite the rise of platforms like TikTok and new networks such as Threads and Bluesky, their global impact for news consumption remains minimal, with TikTok used for news by 17% of respondents. Usage of AI chatbots for news updates is also on the rise, especially among younger users, although there are concerns about the overall trustworthiness and accuracy of news accessed through such means.
The report is part of its 14th annual cycle and surveyed nearly 100,000 individuals across 48 countries, highlighting the continued preference for trusted news brands despite a downturn in traditional news engagement.
