Only 16 percent of Internet users pay for online news provision
In the July update to their «Digital 2020» report, Hootsuite and We Are Social reveal that 82 percent of respondents worldwide consume news online and via social media—yet only 16 percent are willing to pay for digital news coverage. In Switzerland, that figure is as low as 13 percent.
In Switzerland, 77 percent of respondents use online media reporting. The Greek population uses online news the most, with 92 percent, while Japan brings up the rear with 62 percent.
Print is the clear loser: Only 28 percent of respondents worldwide use print media to find out about current events.
Trust in online media
But what about the trustworthiness of online reporting? Globally, 38 percent of respondents say they trust online news. Switzerland is even above average at 44 percent. Respondents in South Korea (21 percent) have the least trust.
Online reporting via social media enjoys significantly less trust: Worldwide, only 22 percent of respondents say they trust news when it is disseminated via social media. In Switzerland, this figure is only 19 percent.
In fact, 56 percent of respondents worldwide have concerns that reporting on the Internet could be fake news. In Switzerland, at 45 percent, there are significantly fewer people who have concerns in this regard.
Paying for paid online reporting and digital content
Even though 82 percent of all Internet users consume online media, only 16 percent of those surveyed are also prepared to pay for online news reporting. In Switzerland, the figure is as low as 13 percent. The United Kingdom brings up the rear with seven percent. In Norway, most respondents pay for the consumption of online news, at 42 percent.
At 22 percent, 25- to 34-year-olds make up the largest proportion who pay to consume online media. In the 55 and older age group, the figure is only 13 percent.
Online videos and social media as news sources
It is particularly interesting to note that, on average, 67 percent of respondents worldwide already rely on online videos for media coverage - while 55 percent use social media as a news source. In Switzerland, 57 percent use online videos to inform themselves, while 44 percent use social media. The frontrunners are Turkey and Kenya, where 95 percent of all Internet users consume online news videos and news via social media.
The full study, "Digital 2020: July Update," by Hootsuite and We Are Social, can be found on Hootsuite.com can be retrieved.
