Social media has officially surpassed print newspapers as the preferred news source for Americans.
One-in-five U.S. adults say they often get news via social media, compared to 16% who often obtain news from print newspapers, according to the latest Pew Research Survey. It’s the first time more people got their news from social media than print newspapers. Last year, the portion was about equal. Social media’s edge over print emerged after years of steady declines in newspaper circulation and gradual increases in social media use.
The takeaway for PR: While most PR professionals have noticed the gains of social media, the latest report underscores the value of social media for distributing company news. PR agencies and in-house teams that continue to prioritize pitching news to newspapers miss an important channel. It’s essential for PR to include social media in their news dissemination and PR measurement plans.
Television Still Popular
Overall, television is still the most popular platform for news consumption – even though its use has declined since 2016. Almost half of Americans view news from TV often. Local TV is the most popular type of TV news, followed by cable TV news and national evening network news shows. After television, news websites are the next most common news source, followed by radio, and finally social media sites and print newspapers. Total digital news consumption, online news and social media, is approaching television news — 43% of adults get news often from news websites or social media.
The takeaway for PR: Organizations cannot ignore TV when developing PR pitching and placement strategies and when creating plans for TV media monitoring and measurement.
News Consumption Habits Vary Greatly by Age
News consumption habits differ drastically for younger and older Americans and even more than in the past, the research shows. Those 65 and older are five times as likely as 18- to 29-year-olds to often get news from TV. Most of those older Americans (81%) get news from television often, as do about two-thirds (65%) of those 50 to 64.
Far fewer young Americans view television news. Only 16% of those 18 to 29 and 36% of those 30 to 49 get news often from television. Those 18 to 29 are about four times as likely to often get news on social media as those 65 and older.
Print’s popularity only persists among those 65 and older. About four-in-ten (39%) get news there often, but no more than 18% of any other age group do.
Some like Online News Sites
Online news websites are more popular among those ages 30 to 49. About four-in-ten (42%) in this age group get news often from websites and news apps. About a quarter (27%) of 18- to 29-year-olds get news from news websites, making it the second most commonly used platform for news for that age group.
For these youngest adults, social media is the most popular news platform – 36% get news there often, topping news websites, TV (16%), radio (13%) and print (2%).
Younger Americans are also unique in that they don’t rely on one platform in the way that the majority of their elders rely on TV. No more than half of those ages 18 to 29 and 30 to 49 get news often from any one news platform.
Takeaway for PR: The news consumption habits of the organization’s target audience will determine the formats and distribution plans for a corporate news story. PR plans will vary depending on the demographics of the particular audience. Despite the rise of social media, pitching to television and print news could make sense for many campaigns.
Bottom Line: For the first time, more Americans obtain their news from social media than from newspapers. The rise of social media news consumption underscores the need for PR to embrace social media promotions and social media monitoring.
William J. Comcowich founded and served as CEO of CyberAlert LLC, the predecessor of Glean.info. He is currently serving as Interim CEO and member of the Board of Directors. Glean.info provides customized media monitoring, media measurement and analytics solutions across all types of traditional and social media.
Of course, Mr. Comcowich is correct regarding a public relations firm need to embrace social media in its programs.
However, I wonder what will impress execs in the client’s corner offices more –a good social media campaign or extensive positive coverage in papers they read, like the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and other high-level print pubs. My vote goes to the print pubs.