Digital News Landscape

fact sheetApr 14, 2026

The landscape of local news in the U.S. has changed significantly in recent decades as Americans have been turning away from print and television and toward digital media. In 2025, 21% of Americans say they follow local news very closely, down from 37% in 2016.

short readMar 24, 2026

People watch as others drive away from the Palisades Fire on Jan. 7, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, California. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

When a breaking news event happens, 36% of U.S. adults say they typically turn first to their preferred news organization to get more information.

data essayDec 3, 2025

The ways Americans get news and information have transformed dramatically in the 21st century. The news habits of the youngest adults reflect this shift – and may offer some insight into what the future holds.

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Digital News Landscape

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short readsMay 15, 2014

Net neutrality: A made-for-web debate

The complex issue of net neutrality is not likely to be dinner conversation for many in the U.S. Still, the Federal Communications Commission vote expected today could dramatically impact the flow of digital content Americans receive, not to mention the bottom line for many major U.S. technology and content companies. So, where could the public […]
reportMar 26, 2014

State of the News Media 2014

In many ways, 2013 and early 2014 brought a level of energy to the news industry not seen for a long time. Even as challenges of the past several years continue and new ones emerge, the activities this year have created a new sense of optimism – or perhaps hope – for the future of American journalism.
reportMar 26, 2014

8 Key Takeaways about Social Media and News

News has a place in social media – but on some sites more than others
reportMar 13, 2014

Social, Search and Direct

Direct visitors to 26 top news sites—those who type in the news outlet’s URL or have the address bookmarked—are far more engaged with that news than users who arrive from Facebook or a search engine, according to a new analysis of online traffic data.
reportMar 6, 2014

Media Coverage of Pope Francis’ First Year

One year into Francis’ papacy, an analysis by the Pew Research Center finds that the former Jesuit archbishop – who was named Time’s Person of the Year – ranked among the top global newsmakers in major U.S.-based digital news outlets.
short readsFeb 4, 2014

Facebook is a news source for many, but only incidentally

Unlike Twitter, which has developed into a go-to source for breaking news, only 28% of Facebook news consumers have ever used the service to track an unfolding news story. And even among that sub-subgroup, fewer than half (41%) said Facebook was among the first places they’d turn to keep up with a breaking news event.
reportNov 14, 2013

News Use Across Social Media Platforms

How do different social networking websites stack up when it comes to news? How many people engage with news across multiple social sites? And what are their news consumption habits on traditional platforms?
reportNov 4, 2013

Twitter News Consumers: Young, Mobile and Educated

The eight percent of U.S. adults who consume news on Twitter tend to be younger, wealthier and more highly educated than Facebook users and the population overall, according to a new analysis of Twitter users.
reportOct 24, 2013

The Facebook News Experience

On Facebook, the largest social media platform, news is a common but incidental experience, according to an initiative of Pew Research Center in collaboration with the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
reportOct 24, 2013

The Role of News on Facebook

On Facebook, news is a common but incidental part of the experience, according to a new survey. Roughly two-thirds of U.S. adults use Facebook, and half of those users get news there.