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[The CIVIS Newsroom ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom) 2. Social Media reshapes news consumption in Eastern Europe, new study finds Social Media reshapes news consumption in Eastern Europe, new study finds =========================================================================== CIVIS Highlights 9 June 2025 A new international academic study, involving professors from the University of Bucharest, reveals how social media platforms are rapidly transforming the way news is consumed and trusted across Eastern Europe, with major implications for democratic engagement. The most alarming trend identified is the decline in trust in professional journalism. ![](/storage/files/social-media-study.jpg) image: UB The research, titled *["Hooked on the Feed: An Analysis of How Facebook, TikTok, and X Shape Information Consumption in Eastern Europe”](https://journalismresearch.org/2025/05/hooked-on-the-feed-an-analysis-of-how-facebook-tiktok-and-x-shape-information-consumption-in-eastern-europe/),* was conducted by an expert team under the coordination of the Media and Journalism Research Center and Thomson Foundation. It offers timely insights into evolving audience behaviors in Hungary, Romania, and Poland, highlighting the growing influence of platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) on news access and public perception. Based on 82 in-depth interviews conducted after Romania's canceled 2024 presidential elections and ahead of key upcoming elections in all three countries, the study provides a qualitative, people-centered analysis of how individuals interact with digital content. Key findings show that while social media remains dominant as a source of information, user engagement is becoming increasingly superficial. The report introduces the term *"blind scrolling"* to describe a passive, habitual form of content consumption, seen across all age and education groups. Although they reported rising levels of fatigue and frustration with platforms, the participants feel unable or unwilling to leave them. Different country, different platform ------------------------------------- Platform usage varies across the region. In Romania, TikTok is favored by young people for its entertainment and influencer-driven content. Facebook plays a central social role among Hungarian-speaking communities, while X is preferred by politically engaged users in Poland for its fast-paced, relatively ad-free environment. Perhaps the most alarming trend identified is the decline in trust in professional journalism. Many participants said they no longer rely on traditional news channels, citing political bias, corporate influence, and shallow reporting. In Romania, the line between journalists and influencers is increasingly blurred—particularly on TikTok, where non-journalists often function as de facto political commentators. **The study calls for a shift toward audience-centered journalism, prioritizing engagement over one-way content delivery. It also emphasizes the urgent need for long-term media literacy initiatives and robust policy frameworks to support independent journalism, especially in politically vulnerable contexts.** This research offers a critical lens on how digital habits are shaping not just media consumption but also the quality of civic life in a region undergoing profound social and political changes. **Find out more from the [original story, in Romanian](https://unibuc.ro/profesori-ai-fjsc-parte-din-echipa-studiului-academic-cum-redefinesc-retelele-de-socializare-stirile-si-increderea-publica-in-europa-de-est/).** ### Latest Highlights: [*Wits scientists win prestigious international award for converting cashew waste into key vaccine ingredient*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/wits-scientists-win-prestigious-international-award-for-converting-cashew-waste-into-key-vaccine-ingredient) *[University of Tübingen, on its way to renew its status as one of Germany’s Universities of Excellence](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/university-tubingen-to-renew-status-germany-universities-of-excellence)* *[Can we dress well without harming the planet? 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