Social Media and Video Platforms Surpass Traditional Media as Primary Global News Source

(AFP, Paris, 15th) A landmark report released today by the Reuters Institute at Oxford University reveals that social media and video platforms have surpassed traditional media as the primary source of news for global audiences. The report also warns that traditional business models are under threat.

According to AFP, the annual report by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University is a key indicator of shifts in news media trends. This year’s report was primarily authored by Jim Egan, a former senior executive at the BBC.

Egan wrote that 2026 marks a 'significant milestone: social media and video platforms have surpassed all other news sources to become the most widely used news source globally,' accounting for 54%.

The report is based on an online survey conducted by polling firm YouGov earlier this year, involving nearly 100,000 people across 48 countries.

Researchers found that as many as 54% of respondents had accessed news via social media or video platforms in the week prior to the survey. When AI chatbots such as ChatGPT are included, the figure rises to 56%, surpassing television news at 52%, news websites or apps at 51%, and radio at 21%.

While this is the first time emerging platforms have overtaken traditional media in global average data, it has already become the new norm in some countries. However, in regions like Europe, traditional media websites and apps remain dominant.

Globally, three in ten respondents said social media or video platforms were their main news source. Among 18- to 24-year-olds, this proportion rises to 50%.

Different social networks foster distinct usage patterns. Most respondents actively seek news on platforms like X or YouTube, whereas on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, users are more likely to 'accidentally come across' news while browsing other content.

Television remains the primary news source for those aged 45 to 54 and 55 and above. Notably, no age group listed traditional media apps or websites as their primary news source, and only 17% of respondents expressed willingness to pay for online information.

Egan stated, 'This is impacting audience reach, engagement, and monetization potential across the board.'

Meanwhile, tech giants like Google and Meta have captured the vast majority of the advertising market, potentially exacting a heavy toll on traditional media.

Additionally, people are increasingly turning to AI chatbots for news, a key focus of the Reuters Institute’s previous year’s report. Approximately 10% of respondents use chatbots weekly to access news, up from 7% last year.

Egan emphasized that responding to the rapid development and adoption of generative AI is the biggest challenge facing news leaders and policymakers today. (Compiled by: Zhang Mingxuan) 1150616

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