Most Filipinos rely on social media for news — Reuters study

MANILA, Philippines — Social media remains the dominant source of news in the Philippines, according to a new report from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism.

Released Tuesday, June 16, the report said news consumers worldwide have started turning to social media and video platforms rather than traditional outlets for information.

Based on the report, 85 percent of respondents said they consume news online, including through websites, applications, social or video networks, news podcasts and AI chatbots.

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The institute said the figure was unchanged from 2020.

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Some 70 percent reported obtaining news from social media, a slight increase from 68 percent in 2020, with internet penetration recorded at 67 percent.

The institute said TV and print are on the decline, with only 42 percent and 10 percent of respondents saying they get news from TV and print, respectively.

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TV recorded the biggest drop, from 66 percent in 2020, while those who consume news from print media fell from 22 percent.

Same with rest of the world

Across the world, social media and video network consumption is ahead of other news sources as the most widely used source of news, at 54 percent.

The institute said three in 10 respondents said social media or video platforms were their main source of news.

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As the report, based on online surveys of almost 100,000 people in 48 countries, pointed out, the 54 percent could rise to 56 percent if AI chatbots like ChatGPT were included.

This outstripped the 52 percent who said they get news from TV, 51 percent from newspaper applications or websites and 21 percent from radio.

Decline in ‘trust’

Overall trust in news in the Philippines was recorded at 28 percent, way lower than the 37 percent global average, the institute said.

While slightly higher than 27 percent in 2020, overall trust fell sharply from 38 percent last year, 37 percent in 2024, 38 percent in 2023, 37 percent in 2022 and 32 percent in 2021.

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Yvonne Chua, an associate professor of journalism at the University of the Philippines, said the “stable” use of social media suggests that more people encounter journalism through platform feeds shaped by polarization, political messaging and disinformation.

Chua wrote the Digital News Report’s country page on the Philippines.

Brand trust

Out of the brands included in the survey, GMA Network emerged with the highest percentage at 66 percent, while the INQUIRER obtained 61 percent.

Both ABS-CBN and DZMM Radyo Patrol/DZMM Teleradyo got 60 percent.

The institute, however, pointed out that the list should not be treated as data on the most or least trusted brands “as it is not exhaustive.”

The Philippine STAR, TV5/OnePH and Manila Bulletin got 59 percent, while Super Radyo DZBB obtained 58 percent.

The rest on the list were DZRH at 56 percent, regional or local newspaper at 54 percent, PTV at 51 percent, Radyo Pilipinas at 51 percent, SunStar at 48 percent, Abante/Abante Tonite at 46 percent and Rappler at 46 percent.

Across the Philippines, Facebook emerged as the top social media source for news at 72 percent, way higher than 65 percent last year.

YouTube was second at 48 percent. Facebook Messenger and TikTok had 33 percent each.

Some 15 percent said they get news from Instagram, while only 9 percent referred to X as a news source.

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Content creators are also playing a growing role, Chua said, as 36 percent reported consuming content from creators or influencers mainly focused on the news.

A larger proportion, or 46 percent, said they get some content from creators who mostly cover other topics but sometimes discuss current events.

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“Many of the most popular journalist-creators are affiliated with established media organizations, though they often focus on softer or personality-driven content,” she said. /dm