Social Media Surpasses Traditional Media as Primary News Source in the US

A recent report highlights a significant shift in how Americans access news, revealing that social media has now eclipsed traditional television and news websites as the primary source of information.

Social media and video platforms are rapidly becoming the foremost source of news for Americans, as unveiled by new research from the Reuters Institute. The findings show that over half (54%) of respondents now rely on networks such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube for news, outpacing traditional television news (50%) and news websites/apps (48%).

This rise in social media as a key news source isn't limited to the US; however, the transformation is occurring more rapidly and with higher stakes in America compared to other nations. Podcaster Joe Rogan stood out in the study, with 22% of Americans reporting exposure to his news and commentary in the past week, highlighting the increasing influence of personality-driven content in the news landscape.

Nic Newman, the report's author, emphasized that the ascendancy of social video and personality-oriented news presents substantial challenges for conventional publishers. The study also noted a trend among politicians preferentially engaging with sympathetic online personalities over traditional news outlets, allowing these figures to circumvent mainstream journalism. This shift raises concerns about the spread of misinformation, as nearly half of respondents cited online influencers as significant sources of false or misleading information.

The research also touched on the dynamics at X post-Elon Musk's takeover, reporting a surge in right-leaning users, particularly among young men, while some progressive audiences have diminished their presence. Other emerging networks like Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon are struggling for traction, maintaining a presence of 2% or less for news dissemination globally.

Key findings from this extensive survey of nearly 100,000 participants across 48 countries include TikTok's rapid rise as a news source, utilized by 17% of the population, and an increasing trend of people utilizing AI chatbots for news, though concerns regarding transparency and trustworthiness persist. While audiences may be leaning towards social networks, the demand for established news brands with a history of accuracy remains strong across all demographics.