Nigerians’ Trust in News Surges to Highest in the World, Despite Global Decline
In a surprising turn of events, a new report by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism has found that Nigerians’ trust in news has increased significantly since 2021, making them the most trusting of news globally. According to the Digital News Report, a staggering 68% of Nigerians still trust the media, surpassing Finland, which comes in second with 67%. This trend bucks the global decline in trust in the media over the last decade, with countries like Hungary and Greece recording the lowest trust levels at 22%.
The report, based on an online survey of almost 100,000 people in 48 markets, including Nigeria, reveals that despite the challenges posed by misinformation and press freedom, 68% of Nigerian audiences remain highly interested in news. This is a remarkable feat, considering that global trust in news has averaged at 40% for three consecutive years. The UK, for instance, has seen a steep 16-point decline in trust since 2015, with only 35% of its citizens trusting the media.
The study also highlights the resilience of Nigerian journalists, who continue to face rising threats and attacks. During the 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests, the Committee to Protect Journalists recorded 56 cases of journalists being assaulted or detained by security agencies. Despite these challenges, the report notes that high trust levels often coexist with lower levels of press freedom.
Interestingly, the report found that Nigerians are increasingly relying on online media for news, with 94% of respondents using online mediums as their main source of news. Social media is the primary source of news for 79% of Nigerians, followed by TV at 65%, and print media at 34%. However, online influencers and personalities are seen as the biggest sources of false or misleading information, along with politicians, with 58% of Nigerians and 59% of Kenyans expressing concerns about their ability to distinguish fact from fiction.
The report concludes that publishers must prioritize radical transparency, accuracy, impartiality, and original reporting to maintain trust and credibility in the face of increasing misinformation and polarized societies. As the media landscape continues to evolve, it is clear that Nigerians’ trust in news is a beacon of hope in a world where trust in the media is dwindling.
