Social media and video-sharing platforms have become the main source of news for Americans, surpassing traditional TV and news websites, according to new research by the Reuters Institute.
The study reveals that 54% of U.S. respondents now rely on platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube for news. This compares to 50% who still use television and 48% who turn to news websites and apps.
The shift signals a growing trend toward personality-driven and algorithm-curated content, with influential figures like Joe Rogan playing a key role. Rogan, a popular podcaster, was seen or heard by nearly 22% of Americans during the week the research was conducted.
“The rise of social media and personality-based news is not unique to the United States, but changes seem to be happening faster – and with more impact – than in other countries,” the report stated.
Researchers noted that politicians are increasingly choosing to appear on platforms run by sympathetic online hosts, bypassing traditional media interviews. This approach has raised concerns about accountability, as these hosts often avoid tough questioning and are sometimes involved in spreading misinformation.
Indeed, 47% of people globally identified online influencers and personalities as a major source of false or misleading information, placing them on par with politicians in public perception.
The report also highlights growing use of X for news, especially among right-leaning U.S. users, a trend that intensified after Elon Musk’s 2022 acquisition of the platform. Since then, the number of U.S. users identifying as politically conservative on X has tripled. In the UK, that figure has nearly doubled.
Meanwhile, emerging platforms like Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon are struggling to make an impact, with 2% or less of users turning to them for news.
Other key findings include:
- TikTok is the fastest-growing source for news, used by 17% of people globally, up 4 percentage points from last year.
- AI-powered chatbots are increasingly used for news, especially by those under 25.
- Despite the growth of AI and social platforms, trusted news brands remain valued, even if used less frequently.
- Many believe AI will reduce the transparency, accuracy, and trustworthiness of news in the future.
The findings come from the 14th edition of the Reuters Institute Digital News Report, which surveyed nearly 100,000 people across 48 countries.
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