Top Countries with the Most Trust in News Media in 2025

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How People Around the World Rank Their Trust in News Media in 2025

The 2025 Reuters Institute Digital News Report reveals fascinating insights into global trust levels in news media. As the digital landscape evolves, the trustworthiness of news outlets varies significantly across countries. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most and least trusting nations, providing a snapshot of global perceptions toward journalism today:

1. Nigeria Leads with Over Two-Thirds of the Population Trusting the News

With a remarkable 68% of Nigerians expressing confidence in their news media, Nigeria stands out as the country with the highest trust levels. This high level of trust could be attributed to local news outlets’ efforts to maintain transparency and the population’s reliance on domestic media for accurate information amid ongoing social and political developments.

2. Finland and Kenya: High Trust Embedded in National Cultures

Finland closely follows Nigeria, with 67% of Finns trusting their news sources, emphasizing the Scandinavian country’s longstanding reputation for journalistic integrity and media independence. Kenya also demonstrates a solid trust rate of 65%, reflecting a strong relationship between the public and local media amid the nation’s evolving democracy.

3. European Countries Show Moderate Trust

Denmark at 56% and South Africa at 55% lead European nations in trust levels.
Countries like Portugal and Norway are at 54%, while Sweden sits just below at 53%.
Ireland and the Netherlands are at 51% and 50%, respectively, showcasing a relatively healthy confidence in the media.

However, the trust dips as we examine other European nations such as Switzerland at 46%, Germany and Singapore at 45%, and Poland at 47%. This indicates varying degrees of skepticism, influenced by political contexts, misinformation concerns, and media freedom issues.

4. Asia and Oceania: Diverse Trust Perspectives

Hong Kong maintains 52% trust in media, navigating a complex political landscape.
India and Australia hover around 43%, while Japan and Canada are slightly lower at 39%.
Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines (38%) and Malaysia (37%) display somewhat lower trust, possibly reflecting regional challenges.

5. Latin America and the Caribbean: Moderate to Low Trust

Countries such as Brazil (42%) and Peru (40%) show moderate trust levels, whereas larger nations like Mexico and Croatia both stand at 36%, indicating skepticism or concerns about media neutrality.

6. The Least Trusting Nations in 2025

Greece at 22% and Hungary at 22% represent countries where public trust in news media is notably low.
Other European nations like Serbia (27%) and Bulgaria (26%) also face significant skepticism.
In the United States, only 30% of the population trusts their news sources, reflecting ongoing domestic debates over media bias and misinformation.

Global Trends and Implications

While some nations exhibit robust trust levels, others grapple with skepticism fueled by political polarization, misinformation, and declining media independence. Countries with higher trust often demonstrate stronger media regulation, transparency, and public engagement, whereas low-trust regions tend to experience more media fragmentation and misinformation proliferation.

The importance of trustworthy journalism has become more critical than ever, especially as digital platforms continue to shape information consumption. Governments, media outlets, and social media companies are increasingly called upon to rebuild confidence and prioritize accurate, unbiased reporting.

Source: Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2025

Note: The trust percentages reflect national surveys and may vary by region within each country. The data underscores the ongoing global challenge of fostering trust in journalism in an era dominated by digital misinformation.