A new nationwide study has revealed a major generational shift in how Greeks consume news, with younger audiences moving away from traditional TV in favor of digital platforms—particularly news websites and social media.

The research, conducted by the Peace Journalism Laboratory of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in collaboration with Kapa Research, surveyed over 1,100 Greeks aged 15 and older between May 30 and June 10, 2025. The findings shed light on how frequently Greeks stay informed, where they turn for news, and how the news affects their mental health and trust in media institutions.

News Consumption: TV Still on Top—But Just Barely

Television remains the most-used source of news in Greece, but only narrowly. According to the study:

  • 57% of Greeks get their news from TV,
  • 55% from digital-native news websites,
  • 43% from social media,
  • and 37% from newspaper websites.

Other sources include radio (25%), printed newspapers and magazines (13%), and personal networks such as friends and family (9%).

However, trust levels don’t align with usage. While TV leads in viewership, it ranks low in public trust. Only 29% of respondents trust television news “very much” or “quite a lot.” In contrast, 41% trust digital news websites, followed by newspaper websites (36%) and even friends and family (31%). Social media ranks at the bottom, trusted by just 22%.

A Clear Generation Gap

The most striking difference in the data lies in how different age groups consume media. Only 33% of respondents aged 15–34 said they rely on TV for news—compared to 64% of those aged 55–64 and a striking 77% of those 65 and older.

Younger Greeks are turning overwhelmingly to digital platforms:

  • 58% of young people aged 15–34 get news from social media.
  • 55% rely on digital news websites.

This generational divide underscores the need for traditional media in Greece to adapt their content and delivery to stay relevant with younger audiences.

Greeks Want to Stay Informed—But Feel Worse for It

Despite the fragmentation in where Greeks get their news, interest in staying informed remains strong. A resounding 92% of respondents said it’s important or very important to be informed.

At the same time, however, there’s a widespread perception that journalism in Greece is falling short. Nearly half of respondents (46%) believe Greek journalists fail to hold those in power accountable. Interestingly, 39% believe journalists go too far in their efforts to scrutinize authority, reflecting public ambivalence toward the media’s role.

News Fatigue and Mental Health

The study also reveals a troubling side effect of news consumption: emotional burnout. Many Greeks report that news leaves them feeling worse:

  • 61% experience stress or anger when consuming news,
  • 45% say it negatively affects their mental health,
  • and 20% feel helpless or powerless in response to current events.

As a result, 81% admit they avoid the news at least occasionally. A full 52% said they’ve taken a deliberate break from news consumption—and among those, 87% said they felt better after doing so.

This trend aligns with global concerns about the psychological impact of continuous exposure to distressing or overwhelming news content.

The full results of the study will be presented at the Thessaloniki Conference on Global Media and Culture in July 2025.