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New Media Barometer Finds Persistent Wariness as Influencer and AI Use Climbs

Regional outlets retain comparatively high credibility heading into municipal campaigns.

Overview

  • Sixty‑one percent of respondents say they must be wary of media on major current affairs, a figure essentially unchanged from last year.
  • Distrust varies by political leaning, reaching 66% among Rassemblement National supporters versus 46% among those close to Renaissance, with 65% among people without a party preference.
  • Trust concentrates in familiar sources—personal contacts (67%), TV newscasts (65%) and the regional press (63%)—while skepticism targets influencers (72% not confident), social networks (65%) and AI services (60%).
  • Use of nontraditional sources is rising despite distrust, with 42% turning to influencers and 41% using AI tools to follow the news.
  • Nearly half report news fatigue (47%), often citing repetitive topics and anxiety, and La Croix’s editorial urges reliability, proximity and independence to rebuild confidence.