Online video adding to challenges for news firms—report

The rise of online video news is making it increasingly hard for traditional news organizations to survive, according to a global survey published Monday, June 17.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to further reduce traffic to news websites and apps, said the Reuters Institute at Britain's University of Oxford as it released its annual Digital News Report. 

It said a major "platform reset" is underway, as tech innovations and changing consumer patterns have triggered changes in the way social media and search engines operate.

"Some are now explicitly deprioritising news and political content, while others have switched focus from publishers to 'creators,' and pushing more fun and engaging formats—including video—to keep more attention within their own platforms," the report said. 

Based on a survey of 95,000 people in 47 countries, it found that two-thirds of respondents watched short news items at least once a week. 

With 72% of those videos consumed on platforms like YouTube, it is hard for news organizations to benefit.

Only 22% of respondents said news websites and apps were their main source of news, down 10% in 2018. 

Journalists are increasingly eclipsed by partisan commentators, influencers and celebrities, especially among young people on TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, the report said. 

It highlighted French YouTuber Hugo Decrypte, 27, who makes videos explaining politics for young audiences. With 5.8 million subscribers on TikTok, he gets more mentions across all platforms than Le Monde, Le Figaro, and Liberation combined.

Similar examples in other countries include Jack Kelly in Britain and Vitus Spehar in the United States. 

"Interest in the news has been falling, the proportion avoiding it has increased, trust remains low, and many consumers are feeling increasingly overwhelmed and confused by the amount of news," the report said. 

"Artificial intelligence may make this situation worse, by creating a flood of low-quality content and synthetic media of dubious provenance." (AFP)