Global News Trust Falls to 37% Low as Social Platforms Draw Over Half of Users
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 16
Global News Trust Falls to 37% Low as Social Platforms Draw Over Half of Users
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 16
Summary
Global trust in news fell to 37% in 2026, down 3 points from a year earlier and the lowest since the Reuters Institute began tracking it in 2015.
The institute linked the decline to audience anxiety, disengagement and cynicism over coverage of immigration, inflation and international conflict.
More than half of respondents now get news via social media and video platforms, but trust in social news is only 22%, while just 10% say creators and influencers meet most of their news needs.
AI chatbots drew 20% trust globally, with weekly use rising to 10% from 7% and to 16% among under-35s, while online news video reached 77% weekly consumption.
The country gaps remain stark: UK trust fell 5 points to 30%, US trust stood at 25%, and it dropped to 15% among right-leaning Americans in a survey of nearly 100,000 people across 48 markets.