Opinion on the reliability of news in the press in France 2021

In 2021, a survey was conducted to measure public opinion on the reliability of newspapers in France. Only six percent of surveyed adults believed that the news they read in French newspapers was completely accurate. Meanwhile, around 36 percent of respondents argued that there were distinct differences between events and their respective reports in the print media.

Most reliable news media in France

Regional or local newspapers were rated the most trusted news media in France in 2021. Nearly 65 percent of respondents to an online survey stated that they were confident in the accuracy of news reports in the print media, whereas only 10 percent expressed some skepticism. Another insightful study that examined French adults’ opinions on journalists’ independence found that around 60 percent of respondents believed journalists were influenced by money, politics, or power. This rather critical view was also highlighted in a recent report on trust levels in the written press across Europe.

To trust or not to trust: news on social media

In addition to print and television, French consumers also encounter news reports on social media. Facebook stood out as the leading social network used for news in France in 2021, followed by YouTube and WhatsApp. As these channels are usually not monitored by industry professionals who fact-check every post, they are particularly prone to the spread of misleading or outright false information. The prevalence of fake news explains why many online users are wary of news reports circulating on platforms such as Facebook and why social media was recently voted the least trustworthy news source in France and many other countries alike.