This year’s Digital News Report comes amid global elections and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, highlighting the critical need for accurate, independent journalism. However, news media face rising challenges: misinformation, low trust, political attacks, and economic pressures leading to layoffs and closures.
Big tech companies are shifting focus away from news, impacting its dissemination. Advances in AI, like AI-driven search interfaces and chatbots, may further reduce traffic to news websites, adding to the uncertainty. The Digital News Report 2024 examines the effects of these ‘platform resets,’ noting the rise of TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube, and their impact on news consumption. It assesses public confidence in identifying trustworthy content and attitudes towards AI in news, with research from the UK, US, and Mexico.
As publishers struggle to engage the public and combat news avoidance, the 13th edition of our Digital News Report explores audience needs and the cost of online news, covering 47 markets across six continents. Some regions still maintain profitable, independent, and trusted news media, but all face the rapid pace of change and the complex digital landscape.
Here are the key takeaways for publishers:
1. Facebook is less used for news updates
Usage dropped 4% compared to last year findings, with a shift to private messaging apps and video networks, especially outside Europe and the US.
2. Fragmentation of news platforms
Six networks now reach 10% of respondents, with YouTube (31%) and WhatsApp (21%) leading, and TikTok (13%) surpassing Twitter (10%).
3. Video as a key news source
Short news videos accessed weekly by 66%, and longer formats by 51%, primarily on online platforms (72%) over publisher websites (22%).
4. Social media as the main gateway to news
Social media, search, or aggregators dominate, with only 22% using news websites or apps as their main source, down 10 points from 2018.
5. Influencers and partisan commentators
Increased focus on these sources, especially on YouTube and TikTok, though traditional news brands still play a role on Facebook and X.
6. Rising concern about misinformation
59% worry about fake news, with higher concerns in South Africa (81%) and the US (72%).
7. Distrust in platforms
TikTok and X have the highest concerns about misinformation, hosting false stories and deep fake content.
8. AI in journalism
Suspicion around AI for 'hard' news; more comfort with AI in support roles like transcription and translation.
9. Stable but low trust in news
Overall trust remains at 40%, with Finland highest (69%) and Greece and Hungary lowest (23%).
10. Decreased interest in news
Despite some election-driven increases, overall interest is down, with Argentina and the UK seeing significant drops.
11. Increase in news avoidance
39% avoid news, with significant rises in Brazil, Spain, Germany, and Finland, partly due to conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
12. User needs and gaps
Audiences seek more diverse perspectives and optimistic stories, feeling well served by political and sports news but lacking in local, health, and education news.
13. Stagnant news subscriptions
17% paid for online news, with highest in Norway (40%) and Sweden (31%), and lowest in Japan (9%) and the UK (8%).
14. Heavy discounting on subscriptions
41% pay less than full price, with most non-payers unwilling to pay or offering minimal amounts.
15. Growth in news podcasting
Attracts younger, well-educated audiences, with 35% accessing podcasts monthly and 13% for news-related shows, often distributed via video platforms.
Conclusions
News publishers face significant technological and behavioral changes, adding pressure on sustainable journalism. Tech giants like Meta and Google are also disrupted by rivals like Microsoft and AI-driven challengers, impacting the news ecosystem.
A platform reset emphasizes keeping traffic within environments and focusing on video content. Newer platforms prioritize creator-driven content, sometimes sidelining news. Social media and search traffic are becoming less predictable.
While some media companies thrive, many struggle with declining interest, rising avoidance, low trust, and overwhelmed consumers. AI may worsen these issues with low-quality content.
However, publishers who emphasize accuracy, fairness, and transparency, while maintaining human oversight, may re-engage audiences. Success requires accessible, quality journalism, offering hope, diverse perspectives, and standing out in a crowded content landscape to rebuild trust and value in news brands, especially among younger audiences.
Watch key findings in 2 minutes
