The annual report by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism reveals that short videos on social networks have become the primary source of information for young people, surpassing traditional media. In certain regions of Asia, Latin America, and Africa, social networks are highlighted as the main gateway to news.
Based on online surveys conducted by YouGov in 47 countries with 95,000 participants, the report reveals interesting trends. For example, in Peru, 30% of respondents identified TikTok as their main source of information, a stark comparison to Denmark, where only 2% did so. The study also indicates that globally, two-thirds of respondents watch short news videos on a weekly basis, with the majority of this consumption happening on social media platforms rather than traditional media sites.
The report points out a significant divide among social networks, with Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) catering more to traditional media while platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat
