News Platform Fact Sheet
How Americans get news has greatly changed in the 21st century. Most now use digital devices for news at least sometimes. Read about the platforms they turn to.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
News Media Trends
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News Media Trends
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The link between local news coverage and Americans’ perceptions of crime
Roughly three-quarters of adults (77%) say they often or sometimes get local news and information about crime.
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Americans’ Experiences With Local Crime News
Most U.S. adults say they are interested in several types of local crime coverage, but far fewer say this information is easy to find.
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About half of TikTok users under 30 say they use it to keep up with politics, news
TikTok users under 30 see its impact on democracy more positively than older users, with 45% of this group saying it’s mostly good for American democracy.
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How Americans Get Local Political News
Most U.S. adults follow news about local government and politics, yet only a quarter are highly satisfied with the quality of coverage.
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How Americans Get News on TikTok, X, Facebook and Instagram
X is still more of a news destination than these other platforms, but the vast majority of users on all four see news-related content.
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More than half of Americans are following election news closely, and many are already worn out
More than half of Americans (58%) say they are following news about candidates for the 2024 presidential election very or fairly closely.
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Americans have mixed views about how the news media cover Biden’s, Trump’s ages
Similar shares of U.S. adults believe news organizations are giving too much attention (32%) or too little attention (29%) to Biden’s age.
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More Americans want the journalists they get news from to share their politics than any other personal trait
Most Americans say it is not important that the news they get comes from journalists who share their political views, age, gender or other traits.
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Americans’ Changing Relationship With Local News
More Americans now prefer to get local news online, while fewer turn to TV or print. And most say local news outlets are important to their community.
