Social Media Surpasses Traditional News Outlets in the U.S., Study Reveals

A recent report from the Reuters Institute shows that over half of U.S. adults now turn to social media and video platforms for news, signaling a shift away from conventional news media. Joe Rogan's content leads the popularity spike, while concerns about misinformation persist.

In a dramatic shift in how Americans consume news, recent research from the Reuters Institute suggests that social media and video platforms have overtaken traditional TV and websites as the primary source of news for the U.S. population. The study indicates that over half (54%) of American adults rely on networks such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube for news updates, surpassing television at 50% and news websites and apps at 48%.

According to Nic Newman, the report's author, the move toward social media and personality-driven news is not only a U.S. phenomenon but is progressing more rapidly and significantly compared to other countries. A prominent figure in this shift is podcaster Joe Rogan, who has reached nearly a quarter (22%) of the American population with his news and commentary in just one week.

The report also points out that some politicians prefer to engage with sympathetic online hosts rather than traditional news interviewers. This trend is allowing populist politicians to find favor with partisan media personalities who often provide special access but shy away from asking difficult questions, which has been linked to the spread of misinformation.

Notably, almost half of respondents worldwide (47%) identified online influencers and personalities as leading sources of false or misleading information, ranking them on par with politicians. The study details that X (Twitter) continues to see stable or increasing usage for news, particularly in the U.S., where an influx of right-leaning users, particularly among younger men, has occurred since Elon Musk's acquisition of the platform in 2022.

In contrast, emerging networks like Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon seem to be making minimal progress globally, accounting for only 2% or less in terms of news reach. Further insights revealed TikTok as the fastest-growing social platform, utilized for news by 17% of individuals worldwide. The use of AI chatbots for news consumption is also on the rise, especially among those aged under 25, though many express concerns over potential declines in transparency and trustworthiness.

Despite the increased prevalence of social media for news, individuals across all age groups still value established brands known for their accuracy, even if their usage has waned over time. This year marks the 14th iteration of the report, which surveyed nearly 100,000 people across 48 countries.