Social media platforms have overtaken traditional television as the primary source of news for Americans, according to new research from the Reuters Institute.
The study reveals that 54% of people in the United States now get their news from social media and video networks, including platforms like Facebook, X, and YouTube. This marks a significant shift, as traditional TV channels account for 50%, and news websites and apps are at 48%.
The report, which surveyed nearly 100,000 people in 48 countries, suggests that the rise of social media and personality-driven news is happening more rapidly and with greater impact in the US than in other countries.
“Changes in the media landscape are occurring faster in the United States, where social video and personality-based news are playing an increasingly dominant role,” the report stated.
Among the most influential figures in this shift is podcaster Joe Rogan. Nearly a quarter (22%) of Americans reported encountering news or commentary from Rogan within the past week, making him one of the most widely-seen personalities in the country.
Nic Newman, the report’s author, explained that the rise of online influencers and personal brands presents a significant challenge for traditional news outlets.
He added that many politicians are now opting to appear on platforms hosted by sympathetic online personalities instead of mainstream media, bypassing critical questioning in favour of more favourable coverage.
The report also highlighted concerns regarding the spread of misinformation.
Nearly half (47%) of respondents worldwide cited influencers and personalities as major sources of false or misleading information, placing them on par with politicians in terms of accountability for spreading unverified content.
The growing prominence of social media platforms like X is also evident in the United States.
Since Elon Musk’s acquisition of X in 2022, the network has seen a notable shift, with an influx of right-leaning users, particularly among young men. This has contributed to a tripling of self-identified right-wing users on the platform in the US.
In contrast, platforms like Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon have had little impact on global news consumption, with reach remaining under 2% in most markets.
Key findings from the report also show that TikTok is the fastest-growing platform for news, with 17% of people globally now using it for news—an increase of four percentage points from last year. Additionally, the use of AI chatbots for news consumption is on the rise, particularly among younger users.
However, many respondents expressed concerns about the transparency and reliability of news delivered via AI.
Despite these shifts, trust in established news brands remains strong. The report found that all generations still value trusted sources with a track record of accuracy, even though their usage may have declined.
