A recent survey conducted by OnePoll highlights that three-quarters of Britons view trusted journalism as essential in today’s rapidly shifting media landscape.
Among the 2,000 respondents, 76% agreed that journalism’s role is more crucial than ever, especially amidst a rise in fake news, government dominance, and the devolution of powers to local regions.
With social media cited as the leading source of misinformation by 71% of those surveyed, 67% expressed concerns about its direct impact on UK politics.
Nearly 80% of respondents believe tech companies should be penalised if they fail to control the spread of fake news, while 60% support reduced funding from advertisers for platforms that enable misinformation.
Jo Allan, CEO of Newsworks, underscored the importance of reliable journalism, stating, “It’s encouraging to see the public increasingly value the role of journalism in our daily lives.
Journalism’s role in scrutinising power has become more important than ever, particularly in a climate rife with misinformation.”
The survey also reflects widespread concerns over artificial intelligence and intellectual property.
Six out of ten respondents believe that tech firms and AI companies should be restricted from using copyrighted content—such as journalistic work—to train their AI models without clear permissions.
Owen Meredith, CEO of the News Media Association, noted, “As our democracy faces significant challenges, the value of journalism is even greater today.
The government’s backing of strong copyright protections is essential to preserve the strength of the UK’s creative industries on the global stage.”
The Labour Party’s recent electoral success has further heightened public support for journalism’s watchdog role, with 64% of respondents emphasising its importance in holding the government accountable, especially when a large majority controls the House of Commons.
On a local level, the survey found that 66% of respondents see regional journalism as increasingly important in representing communities. This perspective grows in relevance as Westminster continues its agenda to devolve power to regional governments across the UK.
