Social media has become the leading global source of news, surpassing television for the first time, according to a recent digital news report. The survey, conducted by Reuters and released last week, found that 54% of respondents worldwide use social media for news, compared to 52% who rely on television. News websites and apps trailed slightly behind social media but remained widely used.
Industry experts attribute the shift largely to the decline in traditional TV news consumption. Tom Harrington of Enders Analysis noted that while social media usage has remained relatively steady, television news viewing is shrinking as broadcasters push audiences toward streaming platforms. He highlighted that news accounts for only about 7% of viewing on streaming services like the BBC’s iPlayer, compared to 31% on traditional linear TV. Harrington added that the impending shutdown of terrestrial transmitters may accelerate the drop in news consumption over the next decade.
The report also signaled significant changes in how people engage with news content. Co-author Amy Ross Arguedas pointed out that after a decade of relative stability, this year’s data show heightened volatility in news preferences and behaviors. For example, 77% of respondents expressed a preference for video formats over written content, and 27% said they obtain news from individual content creators rather than legacy media outlets. Despite this, overall interest in news appears to be waning, with a quarter of people consuming news only once a week or less.
Trust dynamics are also evolving. While general trust in media has declined, traditional news organizations still enjoy comparatively higher credibility. Arguedas explained that audiences differentiate between legacy brands and newer creators, with the latter viewed as more accessible and entertaining but less impartial and trustworthy.
The report also identified increased use of emerging technologies for news consumption. Approximately 10% of respondents reported obtaining news through artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, closely approaching the 11% who listen to podcasts. However, adoption varies by region; for instance, only 4% of respondents in the United Kingdom use AI chatbots for news.
In a related development, a Munich court ruled last week that Google is liable for false statements generated by its AI news overview feature, challenging previously broad legal protections for tech companies. The court found that Google’s tool produced “independent, new, and substantial statements” based on misinterpreted information, after two publishers were linked to scams through the platform. This ruling could have significant implications for social media and search providers, which have historically been shielded from liability for user-generated content under U.S. laws enacted in 1996.