Social media surpasses TV as main news source for Americans, study finds

Social media surpasses TV as main news source for Americans, study finds
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Social media platforms have become the primary source of news for Americans, surpassing traditional television and news websites, according to a new report from the Reuters Institute. The study found that 54% of U.S. respondents now access news via platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and X, compared to 50% for television and 48% for websites and apps.

The report highlights a significant shift toward social video and personality-driven content, with figures such as podcaster Joe Rogan reaching nearly a quarter of the population weekly. Report author Nic Newman noted this trend poses a growing challenge for traditional media outlets. The study also observed a rising tendency among politicians to favor appearances with partisan influencers over traditional media interviews. Nearly half of global respondents identified online personalities and politicians as major sources of misinformation.

Since Elon Musk’s 2022 acquisition of X, the platform has seen a marked increase in right-leaning users, particularly young men, while progressive audiences have declined. Right-wing users in the U.S. and UK have grown significantly. Alternative platforms like Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon remain marginal, each with less than 2% reach for news. The annual survey gathered responses from nearly 100,000 people across 48 countries.