News
76% View Journalism as Essential for Combating Misinformation, with Social Media Seen as Top Culprit
Trust is in demand. Three-quarters of Brits value trusted journalism now more than ever. Why? Fake news floods social media, government power faces little resistance, and regions are gaining new control – a reality that makes journalism indispensable.
In this survey of 2,000 people, over 70% identified social media as a breeding ground for misinformation. Not surprisingly, they want action. Nearly eight in ten believe tech firms should face hefty fines if they allow fake news. Sixty percent think advertisers should pull back, or even stop, if these platforms don’t step up.
Jo Allan, Newsworks CEO, sees this as heartening: people are waking up to journalism’s irreplaceable role in their lives. With politics topping both national and global agendas, journalism remains the check against unchecked power. And in a world where facts are blurred, credible news sources stand stronger than ever.
There’s another issue: tech companies and AI. Six in ten respondents want copyright protections preserved, requiring clear permission before using journalism to train AI. Owen Meredith, NMA’s chief, believes this is a pivotal moment. Copyright laws that have fueled the UK’s creative strength must stay robust.
Following Labour’s landslide win in July, nearly two-thirds say journalism’s role in scrutinizing power grows crucial as the majority grows. And with more powers moving to local authorities, 66% of respondents see local journalism becoming essential to represent communities fairly.
This survey, by Newsworks with OnePoll, brings a simple truth to light: Britons value journalism because it holds up a mirror, a watchdog, and a steady hand in a turbulent world.
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Related Knowledge Center: Information integrity
State of Play
In an increasingly fractured media landscape, truth has been a casualty in the public discussion. Coverage has been warped by the business needs of struggling news organizations, and a significant segment of the public relies on bad-faith outlets that are little more than propagandists. While fact-checking has become routine, some organizations are exploring other ways to combat the trends. And misinformation spewed by AI-driven chatbots has become more of a feature than simply a bug.
Fact-checking and its detractors