Gen Z Trusts Local News Over Social Media
U.S. adults of all ages trust local news organizations more than information from national news outlets or social media, a recent Pew Research Center study reveals. The majority of Americans (71%) say they have a lot or some trust in local news, but that share is down from a high of 85% in 2019 and 2017.
In contrast, trust in social media has risen to its highest level among adults under 30. Half of 18- to 29-year-olds say they trust information from social media, just under the 56% who trust national news outlets. The percentage of young adults who trust national news is at its lowest level. About a quarter of adults under 30 regularly get their news from TikTok. The share of Americans of all ages who get their news from TikTok (10%) has tripled in the last two years.
U.S. adults over 30 are much less likely to trust information from social media, and Americans 50 or older are more likely to trust national and local news. But political parties are still the most influential factor in Americans’ perception of the media — Democrats (77%) are much more likely to trust national news outlets than Republicans (42%).