Regional newspapers are the most trusted media by Spaniards

Regional and local newspapers are the most trusted media among Spaniards when it comes to getting informed. This is confirmed by the 'Digital News Report Spain 2025', a comprehensive analysis of news consumption in our country and its main trends, prepared by researchers from the Faculty of Communication at the University of Navarra, in collaboration with the University of Oxford, as part of a global study across 48 countries.

More than half of Spaniards regularly trust regional newspapers for information, and nearly half, 47%, express a strong interest in local news. Logically, when consuming local newspapers, the most engaging stories are those that directly affect them or help them better understand their daily environment, such as incidents and accidents (52%), local cultural activities (45%), and public service issues (44%). Conversely, municipal politics do not capture as much attention, motivating only a third of respondents.

One of the main conclusions of the research is that despite the current complex, fragmented, and constantly adapting news consumption context, citizens still clearly understand the democratic role played by the media. Three out of four Spaniards acknowledge that journalism contributes to democracy, whether by informing, facilitating debate, or monitoring power. They continue to see it as a compass to trust amidst the flood of misinformation they encounter.

They are almost equally clear about who is most responsible for the proliferation of 'fake news'. When asked about the origin of misinformation, six out of ten (57%) consider national politicians a significant threat in generating or spreading false and misleading information. This is a full ten points higher than the culpability assigned in the other 47 countries studied. Other frequently cited sources of misinformation include foreign governments and politicians (with Russia's shadow looming large for many Europeans) and internet influencers or personalities (45%).

At this point, citizens once again place significant trust in journalism professionals. In the face of misinformation threats, media emerges as the primary tool for verifying unreliable content (34%). Spaniards rank them ahead of official sources (31%), internet search engines (24%), or content verifiers (23%).

Nevertheless, the recognition of the public service role of the media coexists in Spain with suspicion and a worrying abandonment of news consumption, already admitted by 37% of the population. This deliberate disdain for current affairs, more common among young people and those with extreme or indifferent political positions, is explained by distrust (35%), information overload (35%), and the negative impact of news on mood (34%).

The University of Navarra's work clarifies that television, with 54% of the audience, remains the medium through which most people get informed, but it faces stiff competition from social networks (46%). However, all channels, both new and traditional, are losing audiences, as news consumption in Spain becomes increasingly decentralised. Print newspapers have an audience of 19%, while radio has fallen to 18%, and digital editions of traditional media have settled at 25%.

These figures reveal a market characterised by the declining influence of all information channels and a growing fragmentation of audiences, especially based on the level of interest in current affairs. Those highly interested prefer traditional sources like television and digital newspapers, while those with little or no interest opt for other avenues. Within this latter group, the majority prioritise consuming content from journalists or news outlets when accessing search engines or social networks.

Social networks, as noted, are the second most consulted source for information and the main gateway for more than a quarter of citizens (28%). Their consumption also shows a clear division by platforms and a generational split. No platform clearly dominates the market, which is concentrated around Facebook (24%), WhatsApp (23%), X (21%), and YouTube (19%). However, Instagram and TikTok are the major beneficiaries of a generational shift in information consumption. They are the preferred channels for those under 24 years old. But as they gain prominence, there is increasing social demand for how they should manage problematic content. They are considered a significant source of misinformation, and most Spaniards believe that the platforms themselves should remove false or harmful posts.