Social Media and the News Wars

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

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Welcome to Front Page, where we break down Gallup's latest insights on our constantly evolving world. Here are the five insights you shouldn't miss this week:

1. Social Media and the News Wars

Bar Chart: Different media channels Americans use to get information from public individuals.

There was a time when social media was king in breaking and following the news. In all of their beautiful and not-so-beautiful moments, big personalities speaking directly to their audiences disrupted established print and broadcast platforms. But recent media behaviors highlight that while news consumers still look to public figures for their news, they remain more likely to go to established platforms to follow them.
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2. Russia Losing in Its Own Backyard

Arrow Plot: Disapproval of Russian leadership in CIS countries, 2021-2022.

To some, Russia's invasion of Ukraine is evidence of Moscow's grander goal of regaining preeminence over former Soviet states within its sphere of influence. But that vision isn't exactly how things are panning out, at least based on the opinions of the people who live in those nations. Here's a look at just how much approval ratings of Russian leadership have declined in Russia's own geopolitical neighborhood.
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3. Too Much for (Even) Pakistan

Line Chart: 86% of Pakistanis said corruption is widespread in their government in 2022.

Pakistan is no stranger to navigating multiple mega-crises. But with a full-blown constitutional showdown unfolding involving Imran Khan, the current government and the military, coupled with a massive inflation surge and economic meltdown, it's not helping that Pakistanis are now more likely than ever to tell Gallup that corruption is widespread in their country's government and businesses. No wonder Khan has messaged his constitutional showdown with the current government as fundamentally about rooting out corruption.
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4. Stock Ownership Back to 2008 Levels

Line Chart: 61% of Americans own stock in 2023.

Perhaps just in time for the next economic slowdown, the rate of Americans with skin in the stock market has finally recovered to pre-Great Recession levels. One interesting finding: Those who are married (74%) are far more likely than singles (48%) to say they own stock.
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5. America's Retirement Anxiety

Line Chart: 43% of nonretirees in 2023 say they expect to live comfortably in retirement.

With inflation continuing to fuel consumer concern about the cost of living, fewer Americans are telling us they expect to live comfortably in retirement. In a nation that lives to work, it's a grim trend to see moving in the wrong direction.
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And that's Front Page!

Mohamed Younis
Editor-in-Chief
Gallup

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