Most people trust the mainstream news media far more than social media. The percentage of people in the United States who say they have “some or a lot” of trust in the information they get from social media is just 36% among those between the age of 30 and 49, 25% among those between the age of 50 and 64, and 20% among those 65 and older, according to a new poll from Pew.
But younger people trust social media significantly more than their elders. Fifty-percent of 18- to 29-year-olds surveyed told Pew that they have some or a lot of trust in from social media sites. That’s almost the same share as the 56% who say they have some or a lot of trust from national news organizations. And given that young people are, by definition the future, it suggests the social media revolution, is still just beginning.
To fully appreciate what’s happening, have a look at these incredible declines in trust in the news media.
Combine these trends with the fact that many legacy media outlets are losing money — The Washington Post is set to lose an astonishing $100 million this year — and events like the Gaza hospital bombing, which undermines claims that news media have “guardrails” in place, which citizen journalists don’t have, it appears that the end is near for what is known as “mainstream media,” funded by corporate advertising.
