Read on bbc.comGlobal Trust in News Hits Record Low, Reuters Institute Report Reveals
The Reuters Institute has recorded its lowest trust figures since its annual research began in 2015, with global public trust in news falling to 37%. In the UK, trust has dropped to 30%, a five-point decline from last year and 20 points lower than a decade ago. The report, based on a survey of nearly 100,000 people across 48 markets, highlights a mix of anxiety, disengagement, and cynicism among audiences. It also reveals that over half of respondents now get news from third-party platforms like social media, though traditional sources remain popular. Confidence in social media as a news source is low at 22%, while only 10% rely on creators and influencers. The findings underscore a critical moment for journalism, with many feeling news is not covering long-running stories effectively.
Trust in the news has plummeted to an all-time low globally, according to the latest research from the Reuters Institute. The annual report, which began in 2015, now shows that public trust worldwide stands at just 37%—a three-point drop from last year and the lowest figure recorded in the survey's history. In the United Kingdom, the decline is even steeper, with trust falling to 30%, down five points from a year ago and a staggering 20 points lower than a decade ago.
The findings are based on an online survey of nearly 100,000 people across 48 markets, painting a picture of widespread audience skepticism. The Reuters Institute attributes this decline to a mix of anxiety, disengagement, and cynicism, noting that many people dislike how publishers cover persistent issues such as immigration, inflation, and international conflict. This sentiment underscores a growing disconnect between news organizations and their audiences.
Notably, more than half of respondents now access news through third-party platforms like social media and video networks. However, traditional sources such as news websites and television remain more popular, particularly in the UK. Despite the shift toward social media, confidence in news from these platforms is significantly lower—only 22%—compared to news overall. Interestingly, just 10% of participants said that creators and influencers meet most of their news needs, suggesting that these sources complement rather than replace traditional media.
In the United States, trust in news is at 25%, with politically right-leaning Americans showing even lower trust at 15%. Major outlets have experienced noticeable drops, including CBS News, Fox News, and CNN. Meanwhile, the use of AI chatbots for news is growing slowly, with weekly usage rising from 7% to 10% globally, and to 16% among those under 35. However, only 20% of respondents trust information from these chatbots.
The report also highlights a strong and consistent public desire for impartial news, with support for neutrality remaining largely unchanged. Online news video has become mainstream across all markets, with 77% of people consuming it weekly, and it now surpasses broadcast TV news in every market except Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands. The Reuters Institute emphasizes that the popularity of online video and creators signals a demand for news that feels more accessible, understandable, and relevant to everyday life.
These trends pose significant challenges for traditional news organizations as they navigate a rapidly evolving media landscape. The record low trust levels suggest that rebuilding credibility and adapting to audience preferences for more engaging, balanced coverage may be crucial for the future of journalism.
