Trust levels in the news sector have reached a record low based on a Reuters Institute report published this week, as 29 out of 48 surveyed markets showed decreases in confidence.

The results indicate overall trust stands at 37 percent after dropping three points from the prior year, while the share of people expressing minimal or no interest in news has climbed to 25 percent, marking a nine-point rise since 2021.

In the United States just 25 percent of those polled expressed general trust in news, and confidence dropped by five points or more across 19 international markets.

Many participants indicated they turn to alternative outlets like social platforms for updates, although conventional outlets continue to serve as the main source in the United Kingdom.

Results also reveal that worries regarding misinformation have climbed four points since 2025, tracking with greater dependence on nontraditional outlets.

On the topic of slant in coverage, close to half of respondents expressed a preference for neutral outlets and noted that balanced reporting supports the public good.

Certain topics prove especially challenging for outlets to address, as the majority of those surveyed feel the sector handles immigration coverage inadequately.

AI as a News Source

Audiences aged 18 to 24 primarily access updates via social platforms, video services, and AI tools, whereas television remains dominant for those 45 and older.

When it comes to artificial intelligence, under 1 percent of respondents identify AI tools as their main source, indicating these systems serve more as aids rather than primary channels.

Roughly one third of those polled use AI to locate recent updates, condense articles, or evaluate content for slant.

The analysis highlighted that AI technology is still developing within the news space, whereas social media has become firmly established.

On social platforms, 27 percent reported obtaining at least some updates from individual creators and influencers, though respondents generally viewed these sources as less reliable and more slanted compared with established outlets.

Most individuals who follow creators also consult conventional media, and data showed rising engagement with traditional sources among this segment.