The Society of Editors says the Ofcom annual report, published earlier this week, found that for the first time since the 1960s, online sites and apps are now narrowly more popular than TV news. The research found that online news sources are now used by 71 per cent of the population compared with 70 per cent of adults who turned to traditional TV news bulletins and channels for their information.
Responding to the report, Dawn Alford, executive director of the Society of Editors said that while the ways in which audiences consume news was changing, traditional news platforms continue to be highly valued as a source of trusted and accurate news and information.
She said: “While the research found that online news sources are now narrowly more popular than TV news it is important to remember that online news sources will include publisher accounts. News publishers and broadcasters have recognised for some time now that the way audiences wish to consume news is changing and that is why, alongside traditional platforms, they continue to shift resources towards digital. UK news brands now have some of the biggest online audiences and this includes those who engage across publisher accounts on social channels such as Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
“Traditional news sources continue to outperform their online rivals when it comes to trust, accuracy and impartiality,” Alford said.
She added: “What is clear from the report is the value that audiences place on traditional news platforms as an accurate and trusted source of news and information. While younger people (aged 16-24) are the heaviest users of social media for news, they score it below average when it comes to trust in the content they are consuming. You only have to look at the recent far-right riots in the UK to see the damage that can be caused by fake news and misinformation online and news publishers take seriously the trust and responsibility that audiences place on them to separate fact from fiction.
“Furthermore, an increasing number of people in the UK are willing to pay subscriptions to news publishers for trusted information and to support trusted voices and this speaks volumes.”
As part of the report, Ofcom said it was launching a review of public service media content, with a focus on news. The review will look at how well public service broadcasters such as the BBC and ITV have served news audiences, including online, and consider regulatory or legislative changes to support public service news.
The report can be read, in full, here.
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