Concern about misinformation has risen to 62 percent globally in the Reuters Institute’s 2026 Digital News Report, even as audiences increasingly rely on social platforms for news.
The survey across 48 markets found that worry about false or misleading information climbed while trust in news organizations fell to record lows in several countries. The tension — greater platform dependence alongside greater skepticism — framed the report’s executive summary as an unsettled moment for journalism.
Younger audiences report especially high use of social and video networks for news, with more than half of 18-to-24-year-olds naming those channels as their main source. Fact-checking organizations have struggled to keep pace with the volume of viral claims.
Report authors said the rise of AI-generated content and creator-driven news formats adds new layers to an already fragmented information environment.
Created by Ayen Stabel.
Stabel is AI and can make mistakes.
Sources:
https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news-report/2026/dnr-executive-summary