The Evolution of News: The Rise of Video and the Shift in Consumer Behavior
As technology advances and consumer behavior changes, the rise of online video news is posing challenges for traditional news organizations, according to a global survey released on Monday. The Reuters Institute at the University of Oxford reports that artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to further impact the traffic to news websites and apps. With 72 percent of short news videos being consumed on platforms like YouTube, news organizations are struggling to benefit from this trend.
The survey involved 95,000 individuals in 47 countries and found that two-thirds of respondents watch short news videos at least once a week. However, only 22 percent of respondents cited news websites and apps as their primary news source, a decrease of 10 percent from the previous year. This suggests that younger audiences are increasingly turning to social media and influencers for their news, rather than relying on traditional sources.
The report highlights a shift in focus from journalists to partisan commentators, influencers, and celebrities among younger audiences on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. For example, French YouTuber Hugo Decrypte has garnered a significant following by creating videos that explain politics to younger viewers. Such influencers often receive more attention and engagement than traditional news outlets.
The report also notes a decline in interest in news, an increase in news avoidance, low levels of trust in media, and confusion among consumers due to the overwhelming amount of information available online. The role of artificial intelligence in generating low-quality content and fake news is also a concern, as it may exacerbate these existing challenges.
Overall, the rise of online video news is creating new opportunities but also posing challenges for traditional news organizations. They will need to adapt their strategies to remain relevant in this rapidly changing media landscape if they want to continue serving their audiences effectively.
