Social networks and television remain the main sources of news for Ukrainians, and the gap between them has widened.
In 2024, 84% of Ukrainians use social networks as a source of news. The most popular are Telegram (73%), YouTube (19%) and Facebook (16%). This is proven by the results of the study Ukrainian media, attitudes and trust in 2024 organization Internews Network, published on Thursday, November 7.
The number of Ukrainians who use smartphones to access news and information has increased to 90%, and the number of people who use social media as their main source of news is now 84%, compared to 30% mentioned by news and television sites.
The use of Telegram continues to grow, and the majority of Ukrainians noted that they prefer this source for receiving news (73%). YouTube also shows slight growth (19%, down from 16% in 2023), while Facebook consumption continues to decline (16%, down from 19% last year). Only 4% of Ukrainians support banning Telegram, 51% oppose it, and a third agree that some government regulation is needed.
Although public awareness of the telethon Unifying news increased to 86%, actual regular consumption (at least once a week) decreased to 37%. The level of trust among all respondents was low – only 37% said they partially or completely trusted the telethon, and only 32% believed it should continue. Even among people who watch the telethon regularly, trust in it and the belief that it should continue has declined since 2023. Service members who watched the telethon said it did not reflect their views or their experiences .
Trust in official sources has decreased significantly compared to 2023. Although 63% of Ukrainians trust the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces as a source of information, this number is down from 80% last year. Trust in the Office of the President as a source of information also decreased from 69% last year to 44% this year, and trust in the Ukrainian government and local authorities as a source of information also decreased to 41% (compared to 59% and 53 % in 2023 year).
Confidence in the reliability, accuracy and completeness of war news dropped from 65% in 2023 to 51% in 2024.
Ukrainians continue to trust friends (76%) and family (85%) as sources of news and information. Most also trust colleagues (60%) and social networks (55%). However, for the first time since the beginning of the mass invasion, the level of trust in the media has dropped below 50% (47%).
Trust in most forms of media, including social media and online media, has decreased over the past year – except for national and regional radio and print media, where it has increased.
InMind representatives surveyed 3,000 respondents in Ukrainian cities with a population of 50,000+. The sampling error does not exceed 2.5%.
Let’s recall that earlier the National Coordination Center for Cyber Security decided to limit the use of Telegram to government agencies, military formations, and critical infrastructure facilities.
The decision is advisory in nature for the Cabinet of Ministers and does not apply to official Telegram channels of government bodies.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.