The 2025 Digital News Report by the Reuters Institute reveals a significant shift in global news consumption. People are moving away from traditional news sources like TV, print, and even news websites, toward social media and video platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and X. This change is most notable among younger audiences aged 18–24, with nearly half saying they now rely primarily on social and video platforms for news. Influential online personalities—often called "newsfluencers"—such as Joe Rogan and Tucker Carlson are now reaching audiences comparable to traditional news outlets, particularly among younger men and politically engaged users.

The report also highlights growing concerns about trust in news, misinformation, and the use of AI in journalism. More than half of respondents worry about spotting false news, with the highest concern in the U.S. and parts of Africa. AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini are being used more frequently for news—especially by younger people—but many remain skeptical about their trustworthiness. Despite the rise of new platforms and technologies, trust in news overall remains low at around 40%, with wide variation between countries.