Ofcom-2019年英国新闻消费报告（英文）-2019.7.24-122页_1mb

Summary of News Consumption in the UK: 2019

Core Content

This report provides an overview of news consumption trends in the UK based on Ofcom's 2018/19 research. It examines the platforms and sources used by adults and 12-15 year olds, as well as their attitudes and engagement with different types of news content.

Main Findings

Adults (16+)

• TV remains the most-used platform for news (75%), though usage has decreased slightly from 79% in 2018.
• Social media usage has increased (49% vs. 44% in 2018), with Facebook (35%), Twitter (16%), WhatsApp (14%), and Instagram (13%) being the most popular.
• Age and ethnicity influence platform preference:
  • TV is most used by the 65+ age group (94%).
  • The internet is the most used by 16-24s (83%) and those from minority ethnic backgrounds (82%).
• Magazines are still perceived as the most trustworthy and high-quality news sources, followed by TV, radio, and print newspapers.
• BBC One is the most-used news source overall (58%), but its usage has declined from 62% in 2018.
• Cross-platform consumption is common, with an average of 6.7 individual news sources used.
• Regional/local news is primarily accessed through TV (29%), with BBC Two and ITV also being used.
• International news is most accessed via TV (58%), followed by radio (23%), print newspapers (23%), and social media (22%).
• Importance of news is high among adults, with 60% believing it's important for society overall.
• Satisfaction levels are highest for TV (over 80%) and lowest for social media (66%).

12-15 Year Olds

• 60% are either 'very' or 'quite' interested in news.
• TV remains the most-used platform for news (29%), followed by social media (21%) and talking to family (15%).
• BBC One and BBC Two are the most-used and most important news sources, though their usage has declined (40% vs. 45% in 2018).
• Celebrities and music news are of particular interest to this age group.
• Social media is the most used for celebrity and fashion news, but TV is preferred for other types.
• Trust in news sources is highest for family, radio, and TV (80%), while social media is the least trusted (35%).
• Fake news awareness is increasing among children, with 90% having heard about it, and 50% having seen a fake news story.
• Most common action when encountering fake news is to tell a parent or family member.

Key Trends and Changes

• Decrease in TV news consumption: BBC One, BBC News Channel, and BBC Two all saw a decline in usage compared to 2018.
• Increase in social media use: Platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, and Snapchat have seen significant growth in usage.
• Shift in audience demographics: Younger adults and minority ethnic groups are more likely to use the internet, while older adults and white individuals prefer traditional media.
• Regional differences: BBC One is the most-used news source in England, Wales, and Scotland, while UTV and BBC One are equally used in Northern Ireland.
• Perceived importance of news: Six in ten adults believe it's important for society overall, though fewer watch/listen to current affairs programs compared to 2018.

Key Points by Platform

Summary of Attitudes

• Quality and trust: Magazines are perceived as the most trustworthy, followed by TV, radio, and print newspapers.
• Impartiality: Magazines score highest (78%), while social media scores lowest (37%).
• Interest in news: Among 12-15 year olds, too boring is the main reason for disinterest.
• Engagement with news: 75% of 12-15 year olds access news at least once a week, with 80% encountering it inadvertently.

Conclusion

The report highlights a shift in news consumption habits, with TV remaining dominant for adults and social media rising in popularity. Demographics significantly influence platform preference, with older adults favoring traditional media and younger adults and minority groups preferring digital platforms. Trust and satisfaction remain highest for TV and print, while social media is seen as less reliable. Among 12-15 year olds, TV and social media are the main sources, but trust in traditional media is still higher. Awareness of fake news is growing, especially among children, and they are more likely to question the accuracy of social media content.