The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism said in a statement that the coronavirus pandemic has fuelled the hunger for trustworthy news at a time of global crisis, and the majority of people want media organizations to be fair and objective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report is based on surveys covering more than half of the world’s population in 46 markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Western Europe in particular, confidence in news grew during the pandemic, helping brands with a reputation for reliable reporting, even though the mistrust was evident, especially in the divided media in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a result of the technological revolution, 73% of people now access news through their smartphones, up from 69% in 2020, while many use social networks or messaging apps to consume or discuss news. TikTok now reaches 24% of under-35s, with greater penetration in Asia and Latin America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Facebook is seen as the main platform for spreading false information, although messaging apps such as WhatsApp also play a role in spreading fake news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tech giants also served as platforms for dissent, pointing to protests in Peru, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, and the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the U.S., more people distrusted the news than trusted it, as Donald Trump’s defeat in the 2020 U.S. presidential election reduced demand for news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those who felt that the media had been unfair were those with right-wing political views. Young people between the ages of 18 and 24, black and Hispanic Americans, East Germans, and certain socio-economic strata of Britain felt unfairly treated.<\/p>\n\n\n