A landmark study published Tuesday has found that social media now surpasses traditional outlets as a primary source of news for the first time globally. The Digital News Report, which surveyed 100,000 news consumers across 48 countries, indicates that 54% of respondents used social media for news at least once a week, compared to 51% who relied on legacy media such as television, radio, or news websites.
Generational and Geographic Shifts
The shift is most pronounced among younger audiences. Among respondents aged 18 to 24, 52% said social media and video networks are their main news source—32 percentage points higher than the next most popular option. This marks a significant acceleration from 2020, when only 22% globally cited social media as their primary news source.
In Europe, the picture is mixed. Traditional outlets still hold an edge in the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Croatia. The report attributes this to higher public trust in legacy media institutions in these countries, as well as a lower reliance on individual creators for news. However, even in these markets, the trend is toward digital platforms.
Drift, Not a Sudden Shift
The report describes the rise of social media as “more of a drift rather than a shift, but it is nevertheless an important moment.” Many users say they simply find social media a more convenient place to get news, or that they watch less television than before. Traditional media sources have declined by 13 points for television news and 12 points for news apps since 2020, while social media use grew in 22 of the 48 markets studied.
In countries where social media dominates, there is growing criticism of how traditional media have covered conflicts such as the war in Iran or the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Nearly 40% of people under 35 say social media is the best way to follow news about the war in Iran, compared to older audiences who prefer television or news websites.
Trust and Disinformation Concerns
The report notes that even social media users often turn to established news channels and providers, but that these outlets “are having to battle hard for their share.” This comes amid ongoing concerns about disinformation on platforms. A recent study found that disinformation accounts still profit on Facebook despite repeated bans, highlighting the challenges for news integrity online.
In Europe, the debate over regulating social media is intensifying. The UK has announced plans to ban social media for under-16s, while the Czech cabinet has approved a bill to end public media licence fees, sparking fears for press freedom. These moves reflect a broader continental struggle to balance innovation with democratic safeguards.
AI’s Emerging Role
The report also touched on artificial intelligence, finding that 10% of respondents used AI as a news source in the last week. The authors noted that this “has not exploded yet,” but the potential for AI to reshape news consumption is significant. A separate study by Anthropic has committed €170 million to study AI’s impact on European and global jobs, underscoring the technology’s growing footprint.
As social media cements its role as the primary news gateway, European policymakers and media organisations face a critical juncture. The drift toward digital platforms is unlikely to reverse, but the quality of information—and the trust placed in it—will depend on how well legacy institutions adapt and how effectively new regulations curb misinformation.
