The digital age has transformed how people stay informed, and the Reuters Digital News Report 2026 sheds light on these evolving trends. Presented at the DW Global Media Forum in Bonn the report reveals a stark shift in news consumption, particularly among younger generations.
Jim Egan the lead author of the report, expressed concern over the findings, describing the data as “quite unsettling in many aspects.” The report, conducted by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford is the largest annual survey of its kind, providing a comprehensive overview of global news consumption.
Social Media and Video Platforms Dominate News Consumption
The report highlights a significant shift towards social media networks and video platforms as primary news sources, surpassing traditional outlets like television and news websites. This trend is not driven by the explosive growth of these platforms but rather by a decline in the use of traditional news formats.
Social media consumption itself isn’t growing much, said Egan. But what we’re seeing is a decline in the use of other platforms, such as television broadcast news, as well as going directly to a news organization’s website or its app. This transformation is particularly evident among younger audiences, with over one-third of U.S. respondents under 25 reporting they had never watched TV newscasts or regularly used news websites. They’re not only leaving, they’re not even starting, Egan emphasized.
The Paradox of Trust in Social Media News
While young people are increasingly turning to social media and video platforms for news, trust in these sources remains low. Egan pointed out the irony: People are moving more and more to platforms that they trust less. This paradox raises concerns about the potential impact on democracy and the reliability of news consumption.
The report also underscores the growing importance of video formats in news consumption. Globally, 75% of respondents watch news videos weekly, with platforms like YouTubeTikTok and Instagram being popular sources. In Kenya for instance, 66% of consumers get their news via YouTube. However, traditional publishers are struggling to capitalize on this trend, as audiences are not responding positively to on-site video content.
Long-Format Videos Gain Popularity
Contrary to popular beliefs about young people’s short attention spans, the report finds that long-format videos are also gaining traction. Roughly 20% of respondents regularly watch videos exceeding 20 minutes in length, and a similar number follow live news programs on YouTube. This challenges the stereotype that young audiences only engage with short-form content.
Additionally, the use of artificial intelligence as a news source is on the rise, with the share of people using AI chatbots for news growing from 7% to 10% last year. However, trust in AI-generated news remains low, a trend that Egan believes will not last forever.
The Erosion of Trust in News
The report highlights a concerning decline in trust in news sources. Trust in the news fell by at least three percentage points in 29 of the 48 countries covered in the survey, with only 37% of global respondents expressing trust in the news. Egan noted that such significant changes in data within a year are unusual and warrant attention.
Despite these challenges, the report emphasizes the continued relevance of journalism. Journalism still matters—in fact, in many ways it matters more than ever, Egan told the audience in Bonn. In times of growing uncertainty and fear, people seek orientation, and journalism plays a crucial role in providing that guidance.
The Reuters Digital News Report 2026 is based on interviews with roughly 100,000 people across 48 countries offering a comprehensive snapshot of global news consumption trends. The German portion of the study was carried out by the Leibniz Institute for Media Research in Hamburg, while the Reuters Institute receives financial support from Google and other entities.
