New Delhi: Insights from the 2026 Digital News Report
The latest 2026 Digital News Report by the Reuters Institute reveals that news audiences worldwide are increasingly uneasy amid ongoing political, economic, and technological uncertainties. People are leaning more towards social media and video platforms for news instead of traditional TV and dedicated news websites.
In India, the report highlights that the current news landscape is heavily influenced by state elections, diplomatic relations, and debates surrounding constitutional changes. It notes that social media, especially video platforms, are becoming popular among both established media players and emerging content creators.
The survey mainly includes English-speaking participants, which might not fully represent the broader Indian media environment that has a strong presence of local-language news outlets. It’s important to mention that the survey’s results are not completely nationally representative, possibly downplaying the significant role of traditional media like television and print.
One notable finding in this Indian segment of the report is that 52% of people surveyed avoid news altogether. Trust in news has decreased by 4% since the previous report, with overall trust now at 39%. This positions India 18th out of 48 countries surveyed. Nevertheless, trust remains high among long-standing print publications and public broadcasters.
Looking at the preferences of those surveyed, platforms like YouTube and other online media stand out as top choices for obtaining news. About 47% of respondents indicated that they share news through social media, messaging apps, or email.
Anjana Krishnan, a research associate at the Asian College of Journalism, introduces the Indian section of the report by noting that video-based social media platforms are supportive of various news actors, including both established news organizations and independent journalists. She highlights that around 58% of respondents get their news from YouTube.
The report also highlights the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in news distribution. To leverage the popularity of content creators, the Indian government has initiated partnerships with platforms like Google and YouTube to train 15,000 creators and media professionals on AI.
Although some newsrooms are experimenting with AI, integration is inconsistent due to a range of challenges, including limited resources and concerns about maintaining editorial standards.
Moreover, the report discusses recent changes to the IT Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code introduced by the Indian government. These amendments are aimed at regulating content shared by creators who discuss current events on social media. However, there are worries that this could undermine procedural protections for free speech and the removal of content.
In summary, the report points out India’s 157th rank in the Reporters Without Borders’ press freedom index, indicating that journalism faces legal, political, and economic hurdles in a diverse media environment.
This article was published on June 18, 2026, at 2:42 PM.
