Global Trust In News Falls To Record Low, Reuters Institute Reports

Global Trust in News Falls to Record Low, Reuters Institute Reports

Trust in news has fallen to its lowest level on record globally, reaching a new all-time low since the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism began tracking annual media trust levels more than a decade ago in 2015. The latest findings show that only around one in three people worldwide trust most news most of the time, marking a continued downward trend in public confidence in traditional journalism. The report highlights that trust in news has been steadily eroding over the past decade, driven by growing political polarisation, the rise of social media, and increasing concerns about misinformation and “fake news.” Researchers note that while some countries still maintain relatively high trust in public broadcasters, overall global confidence has now dropped to its lowest point since measurements began. The Reuters Institute data also shows a major shift in how audiences access information, with many people now relying more on social media platforms, video content, and messaging apps than traditional newspapers or broadcast outlets. This shift has contributed to what researchers describe as a fragmented media environment, where audiences are exposed to a wider range of information sources but are less confident about their reliability. One of the key drivers of declining trust is the increasing spread of misinformation and manipulated content online, including AI-generated material. The report warns that although fact-checking efforts continue, the speed and scale of digital content creation make it harder for audiences to distinguish between credible reporting and false or misleading information. Despite the global decline, public service broadcasters and established news organisations continue to perform better in trust rankings compared to partisan or social-media-driven outlets. However, even these institutions have seen gradual declines in confidence compared to previous years. Trust levels vary widely across countries, with some nations reporting relatively stable confidence in journalism, while others particularly those experiencing political instability or high levels of polarisation record some of the lowest trust scores. The United States, for example, remains among the countries with the lowest trust in news globally, reflecting deep political divides in media consumption. Media researchers warn that declining trust in news could have serious consequences for democracies worldwide, including reduced civic engagement, increased misinformation vulnerability, and weakened accountability for public institutions. They also note that rebuilding trust will require greater transparency, stronger editorial standards, and renewed efforts to connect with younger audiences. With trust in news now at its lowest level since tracking began, the latest Reuters Institute findings underscore a growing global challenge for journalism: maintaining credibility in an increasingly digital, fragmented, and politically divided information landscape.