Snapshot 3:Tue, Jun 17, 2025 7:50:07 AM GMT last edited by Vandita

Report: Social Media Overtakes TV as Top US News Source

Report: Social Media Overtakes TV as Top US News Source for First Time

Published JUN 17 2025

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Above: Joe Rogan. Image credit: Vivian Zink/Syfy/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

The Spin

TheTraditional risemedia ofis unvettedstruggling socialto mediaconnect personalitieswith threatensaudiences, democraticespecially discourseyoung bypeople allowingwho populistprefer politicianspersonality-driven tocontent, bypasswhich journalisticsocial scrutinymedia throughcreators friendlydeliver influencersmore whoeffectively rarelythan askinstitutional tough questionsjournalism. ThisThese fragmentedcreators mediareach landscapeaudiences spreadsthat misinformationmainstream andoutlets polarizes societycan't, underminingoffering theauthentic vitalvoices rolethat ofpeople professionaltrust journalisminstead inof holdingbiased powercorporate accountablemedia. QualityThe reportingshift requiresrepresents institutionaldemocracy supportin thataction individualas creatorspeople cannotchoose providetheir preferred sources.

Reutersinstitute Digital Information World

The rise of unvetted social media personalities poses a threat to democratic discourse by allowing populist politicians to bypass journalistic scrutiny through friendly influencers who rarely pose tough questions. This fragmented media landscape disseminates misinformation and polarizes society, undermining the vital role of professional journalism in holding power to account. Quality reporting requires institutional support that individual creators cannot provide.

Guardian Poynter