Americans’ News Consumptions and Trends in the 2024 Election Season

With Election Day less than a week away, Americans’ interest in election news coverage is at an all-time high. New research from Pew Research Center found that the majority of Americans – around seven-in-ten Americans – report following news about the presidential election closely, with more people tuning in as Election Day approaches.

Pew’s October 2024 study, Americans’ Views of 2024 Election News, offers critical insights into how Americans consume their election news — and their views on it — ahead of Election Day. Below are some of the key findings.

Americans are most interested in reporting on candidates’ stances on the issues.
Americans report being most interested in news about the president candidates’ stances on issues, but news about the candidates’ comments and actions on the campaign trail appears to be the most common type of coverage that Americans report seeing.

Misinformation is a concern for Americans in a polarized media environment.
Most Americans (73%) report having seen inaccurate election news coverage at least somewhat often, with half of Americans (52%) stating they generally find it difficult to determine what is true and what is not when getting news about the election.

Republicans, including independents who lean Republican, are more likely than Democrats to report encountering inaccurate election coverage and challenges with determining truth in reporting. Only 29% of Republicans say they find it easy to access reliable election information, compared to 52% of Democrats.

News consumption varies by age.
Television remains a major source for election news with about a third of U.S. adults (35%) reporting that TV is their most common source of election news. The second most common source of election news is through news websites or apps (21%) followed by social media (20%).

For Americans ages 50 and older, TV is their top news source, while younger audiences are increasingly turning to digital platforms. Social media is the top choice for adults under 30, with 43% saying they get their election news there.

Both parties are experiencing election news fatigue.
With strong media attention on the campaign trail, nearly 60% of Americans in both parties feel overwhelmed by the constant flood of election news.

As Election Day approaches, Americans will be more tuned into the news than ever. It’s a good reminder of the need for access to clear, straightforward and trustworthy information, regardless of one’s preferred news source, especially with many Americans feeling overwhelmed by the nonstop coverage.