Majority of Americans Report Low Consumption of Foreign News, According to Recent Survey
A New Survey Reveals Americans' Lack of Interest in Foreign News
Amidst significant international stories like the ongoing trade war impacting the U.S economy, a SmartNews survey suggests that Americans are increasingly focusing on domestic news. The survey indicates that a majority of Americans (71%) consume minimal to no foreign news, with 47% consuming less than 30 minutes daily and 24% never consuming foreign news at all. In contrast, 63% of respondents reported consuming 30 minutes or more of U.S national news per day.
European news dominates as the most consumed foreign news, followed by the Middle East, Canada, Mexico, Asia, and Africa. Economic issues and military conflicts are the primary topics grabbing Americans' attention.
TV news is identified as the most trusted foreign news source, with almost half (46%) of Americans citing it as the most reliable. Network TV (e.g., ABC, NBC) and cable news channels (e.g., CNN, Fox News) garner less trust, with 19% and 22% respectively.
Respondents most frequently trust BBC, followed by CNN and Fox News for foreign news coverage. Social media is the most-used platform for foreign news, albeit less trusted, with only 19% of respondents finding it credible.
Generation Z and millennials appear more interested in foreign news compared to their older counterparts, with 36% and 34% spending 30 minutes or more daily on foreign news, respectively. Lack of interest is the primary reason for not accessing international news, with 40% of respondents citing this as their explanation.
This survey of 1,284 U.S adults was conducted on April 7. For more information about SmartNews, click here.
Factors Affecting News Consumption:
The survey does not provide specific insights into factors influencing Americans' consumption of foreign news. However, general trends indicate that trust in news sources often aligns with political affiliations, and there is a growing reliance on social media and independent sources for news. Economic factors can also impact news consumption if they affect financial well-being.
Trusted News Sources:
Traditional media sources such as CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and NPR are popular but often perceived as biased by some consumers. Independent websites and social media influencers are gaining trust as sources for news. Global news outlets like Reuters might be considered trusted sources for foreign news due to their reputation for unbiased reporting. To determine the most trusted sources for foreign news specifically, a direct survey or study would be necessary.
- Despite the current global trade war's significant impact on U.S. finance and business, Americans mostly focus on domestic news, with 71% consuming minimal to no foreign news daily.
- Surprisingly, even though economic issues and military conflicts dominate foreign news consumption, the majority of Americans (71%) are more interested in U.S. national news, spending 30 minutes or more daily on it.
- In contrast to TV news being the most trusted source for foreign news, social media is the most frequently used platform for international news; however, it is less trusted, with only 19% of respondents finding it credible.
- Interestingly, generation Z and millennials are more likely to consume foreign news compared to older Americans, with 36% and 34% spending 30 minutes or more daily on international news, respectively.
