The Reuters Institute’s Digital News Report 2026 reveals that trust in news has fallen to a record low of 37%, the lowest since tracking began in 2015.
Audiences are increasingly disengaged, citing concerns over coverage of inflation, immigration, conflicts, and misinformation.
For the first time, social media and video platforms have overtaken television and news websites as the primary source of news globally.
Around 30% now rely mainly on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, a trend visible across all age groups.
Online news video continues to surge, while traditional broadcasters face declining viewership.
Independent creators and influencers are also reshaping news discovery, with 27% of audiences consuming news from creator-led content.
Meanwhile, AI chatbots are emerging as a new source of news, used by 10% of respondents globally and 16% of those under 35.
However, trust in AI-generated news remains low.
Despite these shifts, audiences still value credible journalism, highlighting the urgent need for trusted, transparent, and accessible news in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
