According to the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2026, global news consumption is experiencing a dramatic paradigm shift toward “platformization.” Audiences are steadily abandoning traditional television, mainstream websites, and news apps in favor of video-led social media and AI chatbots. While this reliance on algorithmic content raises significant concerns regarding misinformation and source authenticity, the report notes a silver lining: the global public still strongly values core journalistic principles and continues to care about authentic news.

This shift is heavily driven by video-centric networks, with YouTube now used by 34% of the global audience for news, Instagram at 26%, and TikTok rising rapidly to 20%. Despite these shifting dynamics, Facebook has reversed its recent declines and remains the largest overall platform for news consumption, capturing 43% of the global market this year.

Overview and key findings of the 2026 Digital News Report