The 2025 edition of the Reuters Institute Digital News Report, published yesterday, June 18, reveals stark contrasts in how citizens across the globe consume and trust the news. The comprehensive study surveyed news habits in 48 countries across six continents, offering valuable insight into the state of journalism in the digital age.

High News Engagement and Trust in Germany

In Germany, an impressive 91% of respondents reported watching or reading news bulletins more than once a week—either via television or online—up slightly from 89% in 2024. Nearly half (45%) of German participants said they find most news bulletins trustworthy. Public broadcasters such as ARD and ZDF, with their flagship programs Tagesschau and heute, along with regional newspapers, continue to enjoy widespread credibility.

Greece Faces Deep Media Distrust

By contrast, the picture in Greece is notably different. The report paints a troubling image of the Greek media landscape, describing it as fragmented, with heavy reliance on social media platforms for news consumption.

Most strikingly, just 22% of Greeks say they trust the news—the lowest level of trust among all 48 countries surveyed. This figure has remained persistently low for over a decade, ever since the Institute began including Greece in its analysis.

According to the report, political polarization and concerns over undue influence by powerful business interests and politicians are among the key reasons driving this lack of trust in Greek media.

Why People Are Avoiding the News

The findings also highlight shifting patterns in news avoidance. In Germany, 71% of adult internet users now say they consciously avoid the news at least occasionally. The most common reasons cited are the negative emotional impact (48%) and a perceived overload of coverage, particularly concerning wars and conflicts (39%).

Notably, attitudes vary significantly by age group. Older adults over 55 tend to avoid the news due to what they see as excessive coverage (49%). Meanwhile, younger respondents aged 18 to 24 describe the news as mentally exhausting (43%), irrelevant to their lives (19%), or lacking in personal value (19%).