In a year marked by global elections and political turbulence, the 2025 Digital News Report from the Reuters Institute reveals a rapidly changing news ecosystem, where social media influencers, video platforms, and AI tools are challenging the authority and reach of traditional journalism. FastForward breaks down the key insights from the latest major survey.

The study, based on responses from nearly 100,000 people across 48 countries, shows an accelerating decline in engagement with traditional sources such as TV, print, and even news websites. In contrast, personality-led platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram continue their meteoric rise—especially among younger audiences.

Key figures from the report illustrate this shift. Globally, 44% of 18–24-year-olds now consider social media and video platforms their primary source of news, while trust in news overall remains stuck at 40%, unchanged for the third consecutive year. The reliance on influencers is double-edged: while they fill a growing demand for accessible, entertaining news, they are also viewed as one of the biggest threats to online information integrity—on par with national politicians.

This year’s report also marks the first time audiences were asked about using AI tools, including chatbots, for news. While only 7% of all respondents use AI for news weekly, that figure rises to 15% among under-25s. Yet skepticism prevails: 47% believe AI will make news less trustworthy, despite some appreciation for features like summarization (27%) and multilingual translation (24%).

The public is also wary about news personalisation powered by AI. Many fear missing important stories or being trapped in algorithmic bubbles, even as others welcome more relevant, accessible content.

In countries like the United States, France, Thailand, and India, popular YouTubers and TikTokers now wield influence rivaling, or even surpassing, mainstream news outlets. Joe Rogan, for instance, was encountered by 22% of U.S. respondents discussing the news post-election. In France, Hugo Travers (“HugoDécrypte”) reaches 22% of under-35s weekly via YouTube and TikTok.

This shift is redefining how political discourse unfolds. In the U.S., 54% of people now get their news from social or video platforms—more than TV (50%) or websites (48%) for the first time. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have seen a surge in right-wing engagement post-Musk, with usage up 8 percentage points since last year.

Video consumption is soaring globally, with 75% of respondents watching news videos weekly, up from 67% in 2020. Social video, in particular, grew from 52% to 65% in the same period. TikTok is the fastest-growing platform for news, especially in the Global South. In Thailand, 49% now use TikTok for news—a 10-point jump in a single year. YouTube remains strong, reaching over half the population for news in countries like Kenya, India, and Thailand.

However, concerns over misinformation remain high. Nearly 60% of respondents fear they can’t tell what’s true from false online. TikTok and Facebook are viewed as particularly susceptible, especially in high-misinformation environments like Nigeria and Kenya.

Podcasting is gaining traction as a preferred format among younger, educated audiences. In the U.S., 15% now consume news podcasts weekly—on par with print and radio news. Yet globally, the average remains just 9%, with growth slower in Europe and Asia.

Meanwhile, digital subscriptions for news are stagnating. Only 18% pay for online news in 20 affluent countries—unchanged from last year. Nordic countries lead, with 42% in Norway and 31% in Sweden paying. In contrast, Greece and Serbia lag behind at 7%.

“Evidence-based journalism should be thriving,” says lead author Nic Newman in what is his final edition of the report. “Instead, traditional media are struggling to retain relevance, especially among the young.”

The report concludes that although AI, video, and social media offer opportunities, they also raise significant risks—especially for democratic societies dependent on trusted, verifiable information.