Social Media Surpasses Traditional News Sources in the US

Social Media Surpasses Traditional News Sources in the US

According to a new report, social media and video networks have officially overtaken regular television channels. Yet today, these platforms are the main sources of news for Americans. This 14th annual report, which surveyed nearly 100,000 individuals across 48 countries, highlights a significant shift in how people consume information.

The findings show that more than half (54%) of participants now turn to platforms like Facebook, X, and YouTube for news, while 50% still rely on television. News websites and apps are not far behind, with 48% of Americans getting their news through them. This trend signals a permanent shift in Americans’ media consumption, exchanging print for digital, and accelerating in the United States.

Nic Newman, the author of the report, noted that the rise of social video and personality-driven news poses “another significant challenge for traditional publishers.” This update underscores one of the biggest trends we’re seeing in how Americans are consuming media. Today, online influencers are the main source of rapid information dissemination. The report found that 47% of respondents globally view these figures as key purveyors of false or misleading information. In terms of accountability, they place themselves right up there with the politicians.

Key voices like podcaster Joe Rogan are the leading edge of that. As the study’s methodology largely reflects, the report finds that Rogan was actually the most-seen drummed-up personality. An astounding 22% of those surveyed said they had come across news or commentary by him in the previous week. As social media continues to gain traction, it serves as both an information source and a platform for influential figures to reach large audiences.

Perhaps the most fascinating detail in the report is the mention of a new positive trend involving X, previously known as Twitter. This new medium for storytelling is rapidly taking hold in major, mid-sized and even small markets. Remarkably, the fastest growth is occurring in the U.S. Under Elon Musk’s ownership since 2022, X has witnessed an increase in users who self-identify as right-leaning. In the US alone, this number has tripled over this time period.

Social media has become an extremely common place for news. As the report details, these platforms aren’t coming close to achieving their potential. According to the Reuters Institute, many influencers often bypass traditional journalism, favoring friendly partisan media that does not challenge their narratives. They state that such platforms are “making little impact globally, with a reach of 2% or less for news.”

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