Most Indians prefer video-led news content; 52% rely on YouTube for news: Reuters survey
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A Reuters survey conducted among Indians, though restricted, has found that more than half of respondents avoid news, while those interested in news prefer YouTube and other online media platforms rather than traditional newspapers, news channels and news portals, and trust in news has declined by four percentage points among Indians.
The findings form part of the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2026, which examined news consumption patterns amid growing political, economic and technological uncertainty across the world. The report suggests that audiences are increasingly turning towards social media and video-based platforms for news, a trend that is particularly visible in India.
According to the survey, 52 per cent of respondents said they avoid news, while overall trust in news declined to 39 per cent, placing India 18th among 48 markets covered by the study. Despite the fall in trust levels, legacy print publications and public broadcasters continue to enjoy relatively high credibility among audiences.
The report notes that video-led social media platforms have emerged as major news sources, attracting both established media organisations and a growing number of independent journalists and content creators.
Around 58 per cent of respondents said they rely on YouTube for news, making it one of the most influential platforms in the country’s news ecosystem. Nearly half of those surveyed also said they share news through social media, messaging applications or email.
The India chapter, authored by researcher Anjana Krishnan, points to a news environment shaped by state elections, bilateral relations and debates surrounding delimitation.
It also highlights the increasing role of artificial intelligence in the media sector, with news organisations experimenting with AI-generated presenters and digital clones, although adoption remains uneven because of resource constraints and concerns over editorial standards and public trust.