TV Remains Primary News Source for European Citizens

The survey, which takes an in-depth look at media habits, found that for 71% of respondents, TV is still one of their most used media to access news in the past seven days, followed by online press and news platforms (42%). 

Radio and social media platforms (both 37%) were in joint third position followed by the print press, mentioned by 21% of respondents. 

37% of respondents follow influencers or content creators on social media platforms. This percentage varies widely among the different age-groups. 79% of young Europeans (aged between 15 and 24) follow influencers or content creators, while only 14% of those aged +55 do so. 

48% of citizens said they trust public TV and radio stations, including their online presence, most as a news source. This is followed by the print press, including their online presence, trusted by 38% of respondents, while private TV and radio stations are mentioned by 29%. 

Poland is the only EU country where private TV and radio stations are seen as most trusted news source (41%). Respondents in Hungary mention “people, groups or friends followed on social media” (28%) as their most trusted news source, together with “other news platforms including blogs and podcasts” (28%). 

Compared to the European Parliament’s Media and News survey conducted in 2022, the proportions trusting traditional broadcast and print media, and their online presence, have remained nearly the same. The biggest increases for trust are seen in YouTube and other video platforms (+4pp), and influencers on social media channels (+4pp).