Reuters Institute report shows declining news trust and shifting media habits

The Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2026 reveals a significant decline in news trust, with only 37% of surveyed individuals expressing confidence in news sources, the lowest level recorded since measurements began. The report also highlights growing concerns regarding fake news.

Media consumption habits are shifting, as social media and video platforms are now used for news by 54% of respondents, slightly surpassing television at 52%. This trend is even more pronounced among younger demographics.

In the Dominican Republic, these global trends present specific challenges. With internet penetration reaching 91% of the population, platforms like TikTok and YouTube have massive reaches, with TikTok reporting an advertising reach of 7.89 million adults and YouTube reaching 7.50 million users.