{
  "id": 6947648,
  "title": "Malaysians turn to social media first for news, says report",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/malaysians-turn-to-social-media-first-for-news-says-report",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-12T15:50:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/highlight/2026/09/12/malaysians-turn-to-social-media-first-for-news-says-report"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent report from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism reveals that social media has surpassed television and news websites as the most frequently used news source in Malaysia. In 2026, 69% of Malaysians turned to social media for news, compared to 42% for news websites and 36% for television. This shift is in stark contrast to the decline of print media, which dropped from 45% in 2017 to just 14% in 2026 and television, which fell from 54% to 36% over the same period. Influencers and content creators, including former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and retired politician Idris Jala, have become increasingly popular sources of news on social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook. The trust in news media has also significantly declined, falling from 41% in 2021 to just 30% in 2026, indicating a growing skepticism towards traditional news sources.",
  "summary": "The Reuters Institute said 69% of respondents used social media for news in 2026, compared with 42% for news websites and 36% for television,while print media collapsed to 14%.",
  "key_points": [
    "Social media now primary news source for 69% of Malaysians in 2026",
    "News websites and TV fall to 42% and 36% respectively in 2026",
    "Trust in traditional news media drops from 41% in 2021 to 30% in 2026"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Malaysians turn to social media first for news, says report",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/malaysians-turn-to-social-media-first-for-news-says-report-6952595",
        "published": "2026-09-12T15:50:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}