Social media becomes world’s leading news source, report warns

Article excerpt

For the first time, social media and video platforms have surpassed traditional news outlets as the world's primary news source, according to a Reuters Institute report. Younger audiences and AI tools are driving the shift, reshaping how billions consume information. The trend threatens legacy media business models already weakened by declining advertising revenue and audience fragmentation. The report warns that platforms optimized for engagement rather than accuracy may fundamentally alter what counts as news globally. Traditional outlets now compete for attention in an ecosystem they don't control, where algorithms and viral spread matter more than editorial judgment.