According to the Digital News Report, social media and video platforms have become the main source of news in the United States, surpassing traditional television channels and internet portals. More than half of people (54%) use networks like Facebook, X, and YouTube for information, while television is used by 50%, and news portals by 48%. The growth of social media in the US is faster and more impactful than in other countries. Podcasts, such as those hosted by Joe Rogan, are also becoming a significant source of information. The report highlights that politicians increasingly bypass traditional media and communicate with internet personalities who often do not ask tough questions, which can contribute to the spread of false news. Nearly half of respondents consider influencers and politicians equally unreliable sources of information. The use of X as a news source is steadily increasing, especially after Elon Musk’s acquisition of the network, leading to a rise in right-leaning users, while some progressive audiences have reduced or stopped using it. Rival networks like Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon have a small global impact.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning sources emphasize the risks of misinformation and the role of social media in spreading false news. They highlight concerns about politicians bypassing traditional journalism to communicate through friendly influencers who rarely ask challenging questions. The left is also critical of the rise of right-wing users on platforms like X after Elon Musk’s takeover, viewing it as a shift towards more conservative and potentially harmful content.
Center: Center-leaning reports focus on the factual growth of social media as the primary news source in the US, noting the shift from traditional media to digital platforms. They present balanced views on the rise of podcasts and influencers, acknowledging both their popularity and the challenges they pose to traditional journalism. The center also notes the demographic changes in platform usage without strong partisan framing.
Right: Right-leaning narratives often highlight the increased use of platforms like X by right-wing users, framing it as a positive development for conservative voices gaining more access and influence. They may downplay concerns about misinformation or frame criticism of social media as attempts by mainstream media to suppress alternative viewpoints. The right also tends to emphasize the importance of new media channels in bypassing biased traditional journalism.
