Social media overtakes TV as world's top news source at 54%, trust in news hits record low
A Reuters Institute report reveals social media and video platforms now serve as the primary news source for 54% of people globally, surpassing TV news (52%) and newspaper apps (51%) for the first time in 2026. Including AI chatbots like ChatGPT raises this to 56%. The findings come from surveys of nearly 100,000 people across 48 countries conducted early this year by YouGov.
This shift matters because traditional media's business model is under threat as internet giants Google and Meta dominate advertising revenue, leaving only 17% of people willing to pay for online news. Trust in news has plummeted to an all-time low of 37%, with younger audiences (18-24) leading the change—half now rely mainly on social/video for news. While some European countries still prefer traditional outlets, the global trend signals a fundamental change in how information is consumed.
For Nigerians navigating this landscape, the intelligence is clear: verify news sources carefully given declining trust, consider supporting quality journalism through subscriptions if valuing reliable reporting, and remain aware that algorithms on platforms like Facebook and TikTok often surface news incidentally rather than through intentional seeking. What steps will you take to ensure you're getting accurate information in this evolving media environment?