Gen Z and Millennials are turning to influencers over journalists as news sources. On social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat, younger news consumers are taking the word of influencers over mainstream news journalists, according to the 2023 Reuters Institute Digital News Report. While journalists are maintaining their trustworthy reputation on older-gen focused platforms like Facebook, they are having a hard time appealing to Gen Z and Millennial audiences on other channels. Researchers explain that newer media platforms are “where personalities, influencers, and ordinary people are often more prominent, even when it comes to conversations around news.” YPulse’s News Consumption & Trust report shows that while social media is Gen Z and Millennials’ go-to for keeping up to date with information, it’s not actually the source they trust most for accurate information—but its accessibility (think convenience and no cost) seems to win out. (Business Insider)
