According to the Pew Research Center, 59% of Americans say journalists are a cornerstone of society. Yet the same study found that 49% believe journalists are losing their influence. The main concerns? Biased, dishonest, and elitist reporting.

In the digital age, the foundations of journalism have been shaken. No longer do you have to be employed by a news company to report the latest headlines. Anyone with internet access can start a news outlet through social media. Many have done so because they feel “big news”—outlets like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Washington Post—are becoming increasingly partisan.

According to the Reuters Institute Digital News Report for 2025, only 46% of Americans believe the news they read, and just 30% trust the news overall.

News startups like Roca News were founded to combat this growing problem. Their mission statement promises “nothing but the facts, because we believe our readers are smart enough to form their own opinions.”

Unlike legacy outlets, these new organizations rely on social media to build their audience. Reuters reports that more Americans now get their news through social media than from TV or print—about 54% in 2025. The top platforms for news are Facebook and YouTube.

Roca News began as the Instagram page Ride the News. Within a year, the founders said they had reached 1 million followers. Yet, according to Pew, only 26% of Americans consider people who report news on social media to be journalists, meaning many still don’t see outlets like Roca as legitimate.

In the U.S., people are eager for alternatives to outlets they view as biased—but hesitant to trust new ones. Social media’s reputation for misinformation makes that transition difficult. Startups like Roca lack the institutional credibility of traditional media, while figures such as Tucker Carlson have used social media to thrive after leaving established outlets.

So where does that leave the future of American news? In a turbulent economy and political climate, honesty and factual reporting are worth their weight in gold. The rise of news on social media is a double-edged sword. It offers reporters freedom but little incentive to keep personal biases out of their coverage—especially when, for figures like Joe Rogan and Carlson, controversy drives popularity.

Many Americans rely on a single news source, often labeling others as “fake news.” The result is an echo chamber where the same information circulates unchecked, and truth becomes harder to verify.

Now, more than ever, it’s vital for Americans to diversify their news consumption. Readers should seek multiple perspectives — not rely solely on social media or a single outlet. In a digital world where information is instantaneous, taking time to cross-check sources is an act of civic responsibility.

The future of American journalism doesn’t rest solely on journalists’ shoulders. It also depends on readers—and their willingness to question, compare and think critically about the news they consume.

Sources: Pew Research Center (2025), Reuters Institute Digital News Report (2025)