The Reuters Institute’s report, “What do people want? Views on platforms and the digital public sphere in eight countries,” provides detailed statistics on public engagement with digital platforms for news and political information across Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Spain, the UK, and the USA.
I thought this research was particularly relevant for, and useful to, government and public sector agencies, given citizens are increasingly expecting to receive your information online.
So what does the research tell us?
Platform Usage for News and Political Information:
Generative AI Chatbots: 7% have turned to AI chatbots such as ChatGPT for news and political information.
Search Engines: 45% of respondents across the eight countries use search engines like Google for news and political information.
Social Media: 41% utilize platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok for this purpose.
Video Networks: 30% access news and political content via video networks like YouTube.
Messaging Apps: 15% use messaging applications like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger for news.
Trust in Platforms as News Sources:
- Search Engines: 55% of respondents trust search engines as sources of news and political information.
- Video Networks: 37% express trust in video networks for such content.
- Messaging Apps: 31% trust messaging apps for news.
- Social Media: 30% trust social media platforms in this context.
- Generative AI Chatbots: 27% trust AI chatbots as news sources.
Perceived Impact of Platforms:
- Personal Lives: A majority of respondents believe that platforms have a net positive impact on their personal lives.
- Society: Perceptions vary by country; for instance, in Germany, the UK, the USA, and South Korea, many view social media as having a net negative effect on society.
Concerns Regarding Digital Platforms:
- Spread of Misinformation: 87% of respondents express concern about misinformation online.
- Generative AI and Fake Content: 84% are concerned about the use of AI to create fake content.
- Data Privacy: 80% are worried about how major tech companies handle personal data.
- Freedom of Expression: Approximately 66% are concerned about technology companies limiting free expression online.
Demographic Variations in Platform Use:
- Age Differences: Younger individuals (18–24) are more likely to use social media (58%) and video networks (37%) for news and political information, while older individuals (55+) predominantly rely on television (69%).
- Gender Differences: Men are more likely than women to use platforms like video networks (37% vs. 23%) for news.
These statistics highlight the multifaceted relationship between the public and digital platforms, reflecting both widespread use and significant concerns.
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About the Author
Joanne Sweeney is a specialist in public-sector marketing and digital communications. She’s the author of Public Sector Marketing Pro and the creator of the Professional Diploma in AI for Public Sector Marketing. With years of experience training, consulting, and advocating for digital transformation, Joanne provides insight and guidance for government agencies navigating the digital landscape. She is also the host of the award-winning Public Sector Marketing Show podcast.
