In a seismic shift in how Americans consume news, social media and video platforms like Facebook, X, and YouTube have surpassed traditional TV channels and news websites as the primary sources of information, according to a new report from the Reuters Institute. The 2025 Digital News Report, now in its 14th year, surveyed nearly 100,000 people across 48 countries and found that 54% of U.S. residents get their news from social networks, edging out TV (50%) and news websites or apps (48%). This marks a significant departure from traditional media dominance, reflecting a global trend that is particularly pronounced in the United States.
The report highlights the growing influence of personality-driven news, with podcaster Joe Rogan emerging as the most prominent figure, reaching 22% of the U.S. population with his news and commentary content in the past week alone. This shift is reshaping the media landscape, as platforms amplify voices that resonate with audiences but often lack the editorial rigor of established outlets.
The report also notes a strategic pivot by some politicians, particularly those with populist leanings, who increasingly favor sympathetic online hosts over mainstream journalists. These influencers, often granted exclusive access, rarely pose challenging questions and are implicated in spreading misleading narratives. Alarmingly, 47% of respondents globally identified online influencers and personalities as major sources of false or misleading information, tying them with politicians as leading purveyors of misinformation.
The transformation of X since Elon Musk’s 2022 acquisition has further fueled this shift. The platform has seen a surge in right-leaning users, particularly young men, with the proportion of self-identified right-wing users in the U.S. tripling post-takeover. In the UK, right-wing X audiences have nearly doubled. Meanwhile, progressive users are reportedly using the platform less frequently, and rival networks like Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon have gained little traction, with news reach at 2% or less globally.
Emerging platforms like TikTok are also gaining ground, with 17% of people worldwide using it for news, a four-point increase from last year. AI chatbots are another rising player, especially among under-25s, though most respondents expressed concerns that AI could erode transparency, accuracy, and trustworthiness in news. Despite these shifts, trusted brands with a track record for accuracy remain valued across generations, even if their usage has declined.
This rapid evolution underscores a broader challenge for traditional media, as social platforms and personalities reshape how news is consumed and trusted in the U.S. and beyond.
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