Global News Trust at Historic Low, Study Finds

A Reuters‑Institute survey of almost 100,000 people across 48 markets reports that worldwide confidence in news is now at 37%, the lowest level since the Institute began measuring trust in 2015.

In the United Kingdom the figure sits at 30%, down five points from 2024 and 20 points lower than it was ten years ago. Across the United States 25% of respondents say they trust the news, falling to just 15% among right‑leaning Americans.

More than half of the study’s participants now get news from third‑party platforms such as social media and video networks, but confidence in those channels is only 22% – well below the overall 37% trust level. Meanwhile, traditional outlets continue to dominate in the UK, with newspapers, TV news and official news websites still preferred by many.

The report highlights widespread anxiety, disengagement and cynicism around coverage of long‑running topics such as immigration, inflation and international conflict. At the same time, users show openness to new formats: 10% feel creators and influencers meet most of their news needs, and trust in AI chatbots sits at 20%.

Major broadcasters are taking a hit. Trust in CBS News and Fox News fell 10 points since 2025, while CNN’s credibility fell by six. In contrast, support for impartial news remains high, slipping only 3% since 2020.

Online news video now represents the mainstream consumption method worldwide, with 77% of people reporting weekly use. The medium surpasses broadcast TV in every covered market except Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.

These figures underscore a shift in how audiences consume and evaluate news. While they seek more accessible, understandable content, trust in traditional news remains in crisis, prompting outlets to rethink engagement strategies.