In all countries where surveys were conducted, the coronavirus epidemic has significantly raised the amount of news read by major media. Television news and online sources have seen significant upticks, and more people identify television as their main source of news, providing an occasional respite from the image of steady decline. As physical distribution is hampered by lockdowns, the use of printed newspapers has decreased. This is bound to speed up the transition towards digital technology. The use of social media as well as online has risen dramatically in many countries. WhatsApp experienced the greatest growth in the last year, with an increase of approximately ten percent in certain countries. More than half (51 percent) of the people surveyed utilized some type of open or closed online group to connect, share information or take part in an online support system for local residents.
In all countries, the trust level in the media's coverage of COVID-19 was fairly high as of April of 2020. This is similar to the levels of national governments however, it is significantly higher than the individual politicians. Regarding COVID-19 information and trust, the trust in the media was more than twice the trust of social networks, video platforms and messaging services. The global concern about misinformation remains high as per the bigger data set we gathered in January. Over half of the global population was worried about news on the internet prior to the coronavirus crises. Although, it is the domestic political system that is often cited as the source of misinformation - though people who are right-wingers, such as those in the United States, are more likely not to blame the media. Facebook is seen almost everywhere as the primary source for disseminating incorrect facts. WhatsApp is however more than just a social media platform in countries such as Brazil and Malaysia.
In our poll conducted in January across the globe, less than four in 10 (38 percent) stated that they trust most news the majority often - an increase of four percentage points over the year. Only 46 percent of those polled reported that they trust the news that they use. The increasing political polarisation and uncertainty has resulted in a decrease of trust in the public broadcasters which are under attack from the right and left. Our research found that 60% of respondents are interested in news without a specific opinion, while only 28% of people prefer news sharing or enhancing their opinions. Although partisan views may have risen slightly in the United States since 2013, but the survey still indicates that the majority of Americans prefer news that is at least impartial.
The majority of people (52%) would prefer the news media to highlight false statements made by politicians (29 29.9%) as they adapt to new communication styles. People are more uncomfortable with advertisements on social media or search engines as they were with TV political ads. Most people (58%) prefer that social media platforms stop ads that make false claims. We've seen significant increases in online journalism's payment rates across a variety of countries, including the United States (+14) and Norway (42 percent +8). However there's been a smaller rise in different markets. It is important for you to be aware that citizens across the globe do not pay for news online. However there have been reports from publishers that they have experienced the possibility of a coronavirus 'bump'.
Subscribing to the newsletter is an indication of confidence. One of the most crucial aspect is the quality and authenticity of the content. Subscribers believe they receive better information. But, a majority of people are satisfied with the information they access for free . In addition, we find a high percentage of non-subscribers (40 percent in the USA and 50 percent in the UK) who believe that nothing could persuade them to pay. The countries that have more payment rates (e.g. The USA and Norway have a comparable ratio of between a quarter and half of all subscriptions going to only a few large national brands. This suggests that winner-takesall dynamics persist in these countries. In both countries, a substantial minority of subscribers have added more than one subscription to their current subscriptions. For
radio Unirea Romanian commercial radio station. The format is 60% news and 40 percent music. With their current programming, the main elements that draw the attention of those who are over 30 are met: news programs from the county, specialized talks and shows. They are not interested just in news, contests, or even interviews, but they are also drawn to cultural programs, debates, entertainment, and even music.
Local newspapers and their websites are still the best source of information on the specific region or town in the majority of countries. They reach four out of ten (44%) each week. We have found that Facebook as well as other social networks are used by about a third of the population (31%), for local information and news. This further puts pressure on companies and their business model. The access to news is becoming more widespread. More than 25% of users prefer beginning their news journeys using an app or a website. Generation Z, those between the ages of 18 and 24, prefers to get news via Facebook and Twitter. Instagram news use has increased by more than a quarter in all age groups. The trend is likely to continue throughout the coming year.
Publishers are attempting to combat the shift to different platforms by building direct relationships with their users via email and mobile alerts to counter this trend. In the United States one in five (21 percent) access a news email each week, and for more than half of these it is their primary way of accessing news. Northern European countries tend to be slower in embracing news channels via email. Finland only has 10 percent. The number of people using podcasts has grown significantly in the past year, even though coronavirus lockdowns might have temporarily stopped this trend. In all countries fifty percent of those who surveyed (50 percent) believe that podcasts offer more depth and understanding than other types of media. Spotify is currently the most popular podcasting destination in a variety of countries, outdoing Apple's podcast application.
The majority of people (69%) believe that climate change is a significant problem. However, a tiny minority of people in Australia, Sweden and the United States disagree with this belief. This group is more right-leaning and is often older. The younger groups can access the majority of information on climate change via social media and following activists such as Greta Thunberg. The popularity of voice-activated smart speakers like the Amazon Echo or Google Home is growing. The use of these devices for all purposes has increased by 14% to 19 percent (UK) and 7% to 12 percent in Germany and 9 to 13% South Korea. However, news usage remains low across all markets.
