Social Media and Video Networks Overtake Traditional Media as Top News Sources Globally

Social media and video networks have surpassed traditional outlets as the most widely used source of news around the world. The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford noted this shift in its annual Digital News Report released on Tuesday.

Jim Egan, lead author of the report, called 2026 a significant milestone. For the first time, social media and video network consumption led at 54 percent globally. The figure rises to 56 percent when including AI chatbots such as ChatGPT.

Researchers surveyed nearly 100,000 people across 48 countries early this year. They found 54 percent accessed news via social or video platforms in the previous week. This compared with 52 percent for TV news, 51 percent for newspaper apps or websites, and 21 percent for radio.

Three in ten respondents named social media or video as their main news source. Among 18 to 24 year olds, the proportion reached half. Television remained the leading source only for those aged 45 and above.

Usage patterns differ by platform. Many people visit X or YouTube specifically for news. On Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, users more often stumble across news while scrolling for other content.

Traditional media outlets face clear challenges. None of the age groups surveyed listed publisher websites and apps as their primary destination. This trend carries implications for audience reach, engagement and revenue.

Only 17 percent of respondents pay for online news. Internet giants such as Google and Meta capture much of the advertising market. Trust in news reached a new low, with just 37 percent saying they trust most news most of the time.

Online video consumption keeps growing. A majority now watch news video in every market surveyed, reaching 77 percent globally. Younger audiences drive much of this change.

The report describes the development as more of a drift than a sudden shift in many places. In some European countries, traditional websites still hold an edge for now. But the overall direction is evident across the sample.

Egan, a former senior BBC executive, highlighted volatility in the indicators amid geopolitical uncertainty. Generative AI presents another major challenge. Ten percent of respondents used chatbots for news weekly, up from seven percent last year.

Publishers must navigate platform dependence while rebuilding public trust. The rise of individual creators and alternative voices adds further complexity. The findings underline deep structural changes in how people stay informed.