Social Media Surpasses Traditional Media as Primary News Source for Americans

More than half of Americans now rely on social media and video platforms for news, according to new research, diminishing the roles of traditional television and news websites. Notable figures such as podcaster Joe Rogan are influencing news engagement, while concerns about misinformation abound.

Social media and video platforms have officially overtaken traditional television channels and news websites as the primary source of news for Americans, according to a newly released report from the Reuters Institute. The study indicates that more than half (54%) of the population utilizes social networks like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube for their news intake, surpassing television at 50% and news sites and apps at 48%.

This trend is not solely confined to the United States as the report notes that the phenomenon of social media dominance in news consumption is occurring globally, but the pace and effect are notably more pronounced in the US. According to researcher Nic Newman, the surge in popularity of social video and personality-driven news is presenting substantial challenges for traditional media outlets.

Prominent figures such as podcaster Joe Rogan have emerged as significant influencers in news reach. Approximately 22% of Americans reported encountering news or commentary from Rogan in the week prior to the survey. The report further highlights a concerning trend where politicians prefer engaging with sympathetic online personalities over mainstream journalists, enabling them to communicate more freely without the constraints of traditional journalism.

The institute's findings suggest that populist politicians globally are increasingly sidestepping conventional media in favor of partisan platforms and personalities that often provide them with a platform for unchallenged narratives. Alarmingly, about 47% of the global population identifies online influencers and personalities as major sources of misinformation, on par with politicians.

The report also observed an increase in the utilization of the platform X for news, particularly in the US, where the demographic identifying as politically right has surged, tripling since Elon Musk's acquisition in 2022. In contrast, many progressive users have reported reduced engagement. Although newer networks like Threads and Bluesky have emerged, they have yet to make a substantial impact, capturing less than 2% of the global news audience.

Other noteworthy conclusions from the research indicate that TikTok has become the fastest-growing platform for news, with 17% of individuals worldwide using it, reflecting a four-point rise since last year. Additionally, younger audiences are increasingly turning to AI chatbots for news updates, albeit with widespread concerns regarding the transparency and accuracy of AI-generated information.

The report, now in its 14th year, surveyed nearly 100,000 individuals across 48 countries, highlighting an evolving landscape of news consumption that marries technology with changing audience preferences.