People in Slovakia mostly follow news reports on television (42 percent), followed by social networks (18.7 percent), news reporting websites (18.4 percent) and radio (14.3 percent), according to a survey carried out by Neuropea agency.
In the age category of 18-33 years, social networks dominate as the source of news reports (36.4 percent) along with news reporting websites (28.4 percent). "Even though television is still the most trustworthy medium, the young people are following social networks to a growing extent. The main problem is, however, that they perceive them as a relevant source of information even despite the non-verified content, which they also often share online," said agency CEO Peter Papanek. The change in the way information is sought and the greater orientation to social networks will call for changes in education, with an emphasis on critical thinking, noted Papanek. Printed media are trusted most by the youngest age group of 18-33 years (16.8 percent).
The young give their trust to a large extent to sources of news reports shared by their friends and people they follow on social networks, whereas older people trust content shared by friends or influencers to a significantly lower extent. Influencers were also unequivocally the least trusted group across all age categories. The survey was carried out in collaboration with CreditCall from August 7-14 on a sample of 1,000 respondents.
(TASR)
