Study Finds Most Americans Get News from Social Media

A recent global survey reveals that social media has become the leading source of news for most Americans, surpassing traditional platforms like television and news websites. According to the Reuters Institute’s Digital News Report, 54% of U.S. participants said they turn to social platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, and X for news updates. This figure is higher than those who get their news from TV (50%) or from dedicated news websites and apps (48%).

This signals a significant shift in how people engage with news content. Instead of depending solely on major news outlets, many are now gravitating toward content shared by influencers and digital personalities. One prominent example is Joe Rogan, whose commentary reached about 22% of Americans in a single week.

While this transition offers greater accessibility, it also raises valid concerns. The increasing popularity of news delivered by individuals rather than institutions has contributed to the spread of misinformation. The study noted that nearly half of global respondents (47%) view online influencers as key sources of misleading or false information, placing them on par with politicians in terms of mistrust.

The report also highlights a growing pattern among public figures and politicians who now prefer giving interviews to online personalities or partisan creators instead of established journalists. This move often results in softer interviews and less accountability, giving these figures more control over the narrative without facing difficult questions.

Changes in how people use X were also evident, particularly after Elon Musk’s acquisition of the platform in 2022. There’s been a marked increase in usage among right-leaning individuals, especially young men, while more liberal users have decreased their activity. In fact, in the U.S., the number of self-identified right-wing users on X has tripled, with the UK seeing almost double the amount.

Meanwhile, competing platforms like Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon have yet to gain significant traction in the news space, with each capturing less than 2% of global users.

TikTok is rapidly becoming a major player in news delivery, now used by 17% of people worldwide for news, up 4% from the previous year. Additionally, AI chatbots are becoming a growing source of news for younger audiences, especially those under 25. Still, many users worry that AI could lead to less transparency and accuracy in reporting.

Despite the growing popularity of alternative sources, the study suggests that trust in long-standing news brands remains strong, even if they’re not used as frequently as before.

As digital media continues to evolve, the challenge remains: choosing who to trust in an increasingly noisy information landscape. As social media actors like Momo Inc. (NASDAQ: MOMO) jostle for dominance in this space, that is a key question they will have at the back of their minds as they tweak their strategies going forward.

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