Social media overtakes TV as main source of news in US, analysis finds
GuardianJUN 17
Traditional media is failingstruggling to connect with audiences, especially young people who wantprefer personality-driven content, thatwhich social media creators deliver bettermore effectively than stuffy institutional journalism. These creators reach audiences that mainstream outlets can't, offering authentic voices that people actually trust instead of biased corporate media. The shift represents democracy in action as people choose their preferred sources.
The rise of unvetted social media personalities threatensposes a threat to democratic discourse by allowing populist politicians to bypass journalistic scrutiny through friendly influencers who rarely askpose tough questions. This fragmented media landscape spreadsdisseminates misinformation and polarizes society, undermining the vital role of professional journalism in holding power accountableto account. Quality reporting requires institutional support that individual creators cannot provide.