The results of the survey showed that 53% of Ukrainians have read much less news over the past year: 6% of them have stopped reading altogether. In addition, 10% of respondents have never followed the news. At the same time, one-third of respondents (31%) read the same as before, and another 6% read even more often.

The answers to the question “Have you started reading the news less over the past year (due to distrust, saturation, fatigue, etc.)?” were as follows:

  • Thus, he/she began to read much less – 47%;
  • I read as often as before – 31%;
  • Both before and now I do not follow the news at all – 10%;
  • No, I started reading the opposite more often – 6%;
  • Yes, 6% have stopped reading the news altogether.

The Rakuten Viber team also asked Ukrainians which news sources they trust. A similar survey was conducted among users last year, which makes it possible to compare the results of 2023 and 2024: the trends remained unchanged.

As before, official media and official channels of government agencies/officials are the most trusted, with 57% of respondents choosing them (63% in 2022). Trust in the channels of independent bloggers and experts has increased: 11% in 2024 vs. 5% in 2023. 9% of respondents rely on messages from family and friends (in 2023 – 10%), 2% – on informal groups and channels, as they are the most prompt and unbiased (in 2023 – 2%). Every fifth Ukrainian (21%) does not trust any of the sources (in 2023, 20% chose this option).

The answers to the question “Do you feel overwhelmed by this flow of information and how do you choose the sources you trust?” were distributed as follows:

I trust only the official media and official channels of state bodies / government officials – 57%;

  • I do not trust any of these sources – 21%;
  • I trust only the channels of independent bloggers and/or experts – 11%;
  • I trust only messages from family/friends – 9%;
  • I trust only unofficial groups and channels, as they are the most efficient and unbiased – 2%.

Note: Research methodology: anonymous online survey, n>45,000. The key age group is 34-45 years old, with more than 50% of respondents under 45.