Social Media: America’s Primary News Source—A Crisis of Misinformation
In the US, social media platforms like Facebook, X, and YouTube have surpassed television and news websites as the primary news source, with 54% of Americans obtaining news from these platforms. This shift is attributed to the rise of personality-driven news, exemplified by the widespread reach of figures like Joe Rogan, who reached nearly a quarter of the US population in one week. This trend presents a significant challenge to traditional news outlets, as politicians increasingly favor online personalities over mainstream media, often resulting in the spread of misinformation. Despite their popularity, online influencers are also a major source of false information, according to nearly half of respondents globally.
John Q. Hosedrinker