Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism releases Digital News Report 2021
The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism has released its Digital News Report 2021, looking at the impact of COVID-19 on news consumption and the economic prospects for publishers.
Senior Research Fellow Rasmus Kleis Nielsen was a co-author of the report
The findings are based on a YouGov survey of over 92,000 online news consumers, located across 46 markets in six continents.
For the first time ever, the report included data from India, Indonesia, Thailand, Nigeria, Colombia and Peru, providing further understanding of news markets and consumption outside the US and Europe.
Key findings include that trust in news has, on average, grown during the COVID-19 pandemic by six percentage points, with 44% of respondents saying they trust news most of the time, which partly reverses the decline in trust seen in recent years.
But the pandemic has also led to heightened awareness about false or misleading news, with 58% of respondents expressing concern about misinformation.
Other topics explored in this year’s Digital News Report include:
- The success (or not) of subscription models for online news platforms
- How impartiality in news still matters for most respondents
- The disruption suffered by local news and the scale of the challenge facing local news outlets
- How influencers now play a bigger role than journalists on TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram
This is the tenth edition of the Digital News Report.
Co-author Professor Rasmus Kleis Nielsen, Director of the Reuters Institute and a Senior Research Fellow of Green Templeton, said: ‘Our findings this year show how, if anything, the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated many of the long-term trends we have documented over the past decade, especially the move to a more digital, mobile, and platform-dominated media environment.
‘Developments this year put further pressure on the business models of many traditional media, but have also reminded at least parts of the public of the importance and value of trustworthy news from independent news organisations.’
Read the full Digital News Report 2021
Green Templeton is proud to be the home of the Reuters Institute, engaging newsroom leaders from around the world and exploring the future of global journalism.
📷 The Green Templeton College Photography Competition 2026 is now open!
This year’s theme is ‘The student experience’ — and we’re looking for striking, imaginative photographs that explore this and what it means to you!
🟢 Open to: students, alumni, fellows, common room members, associate members and staff
💷 Prize: £200
📅 Deadline: Monday 1 June 2026 at 13:00
Submit up to three photos to: communications@gtc.ox.ac.uk, including when and where they were taken. We can’t wait to see your work!
Return to Green Templeton College during this year’s Meeting Minds weekend 18-20 September.
Join fellow alumni for a late summer BBQ (18) and a formal dinner (19) – two opportunities to reconnect, revisit college, and enjoy Oxford at its best time of year.
For more information and to register visit: https://www.gtc.ox.ac.uk/alumni/engage/alumni-events/
A tour of the gardens through the eyes of a 15-year-old work experience student.
Maddie Bennett from Bartholomew School in Eynsham spent last week with the communications team at college and found some friendly faces too!
Last week, the college welcomed guests for a special afternoon marking the launch of the Pirie Society.
The event celebrated the college’s new legacy society and recognised those who are considering, or have chosen, to leave a gift in their will to the college.
Their generosity will help shape the future of the college for generations to come.
Come and find out more about the Radcliffe Observatory on the south side today to coincide with Open House at @schwarzmancentre
