Hungary among Europe’s top 10 for social media news consumption, but trust remains low

Not only is trust low, but a substantial share of Hungarians also consider politicians a significant source of misinformation; 54 percent identify leading national politicians as the number one threat to the integrity of news, comparable to Serbia and Slovakia. Nearly one in three Hungarians also believes journalists themselves contribute to the spread of falsehoods, a sentiment echoed in other countries where perceptions of media-partisanship run high.

Despite these concerns, avoidance of traditional news is not as pronounced in Hungary as in some neighbouring countries. For example, Bulgaria stands out with 63 percent of respondents saying they actively avoid the news, while in Hungary, the problem appears less acute but is nevertheless worrying for the news industry.

• BBC relaunches Hungarian-language news after nearly 20 years

The rise of alternative media and youth influence

The report underscores how social and video-first platforms are rapidly overtaking legacy outlets not only for access but also for influence. A fragmented online news environment populated by “personalities”, YouTubers, and TikTokers is changing the rules: populist politicians and partisanship often thrive in this new ecosystem, frequently outpacing traditional journalism in speed, reach, and narrative control.

Hungary, with its polarised media environment and ongoing debates about press freedom, both mirrors and shapes these European patterns. While social media provides a vital channel for alternative voices—sometimes challenging state narratives and pushing creative engagement with younger news consumers—it simultaneously risks increasing political polarisation and enabling the easy spread of misinformation.

The way forward

For Hungary and its neighbours, the challenge is clear: to reconnect an increasingly sceptical and selective public with trusted, evidence-based journalism, while learning from the dynamism and accessibility of social-first storytelling. As social platforms continue to reinvent how news is discovered, shared, and discussed, finding ways to blend the strengths of old and new media may prove the most effective path for building trust and keeping citizens informed in a complicated, ever-changing world.