Bite-sized news in a fast-paced world
Gen Z has moved away from traditional print and television news, turning instead to social media platforms and bite-sized content as their primary sources of information.
L.R. Turner14 Jan 2025 09:00am
Photo for illustrative purposes only. - Canva
For Gen Z, news is always just a tap away.
Armed with smartphones, they’ve moved away from traditional print and television news, turning instead to social media platforms and bite-sized content as their primary sources of information.
A 2023 survey by We Are Social and Meltwater revealed that 76 per cent of Malaysian Gen Z relies on platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Twitter (now X) for news.
TikTok, with its visually engaging and quick storytelling format, has particularly captured their attention.
This demand has fueled the rise of “newsfluencers” on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, who simplify complex issues into fun, relatable content.
“I usually get my news through social media, like TikTok and Instagram.
I prefer them over traditional sources because they’re in video format with voiceovers.
I’d rather watch a video than read a page full of plain text, it’s just easier for me,” said Joycelynn Bong Xin Yi, 25.
This aligns with findings from the Reuters Institute’s 2023 Digital News Report, which revealed that 67 per cent of Gen Z globally, including those in Malaysia, prefer their news delivered in quick, digestible formats—think short videos, concise headlines or even memes.
With busy schedules and shorter attention spans, Gen Z gravitates toward snackable content—news that’s quick, visual, and easy to consume on the go.
“I use my X homepage as a news aggregator where I see the headlines and short videos of the day.
If something catches my interest, I’ll dive deeper by clicking the link or checking out more information from other sources,” said Aishah Safiah Mohd Rosdee, 25.
Traditional media adapts to the shift
Recognising this shift, traditional news outlets have adapted by publishing short videos and Instagram stories to better engage younger audiences.
A 2023 study by Hootsuite confirmed this trend, finding that 59 per cent of Malaysian Gen Z prefers short-form videos over long-form articles.
A 2023 report by Ogilvy Malaysia found that 72 per cent of Malaysian Gen Z actively follows issues like sustainability, education reforms and workplace equality.
But they’re not just passive readers, they’re engaging in online discussions and amplifying causes they care about.
“I share news on my social media when I want to make a comment about it, usually short thoughts on how I feel or when I want to get opinions from friends and family.
I share when I feel conflicted about something and want to start a discussion,” said Joycelynn.
Redefining news and engagement
By blending personal engagement with social sharing, Malaysian Gen Z is redefining the relationship between audiences and news.
This generation isn’t just consuming news, they’re curating it, shaping narratives and influencing how traditional media presents their stories.
Their preferences for quick, interactive, and shareable content highlight a generational shift that prioritises accessibility and relatability, proving that in the digital age, the way we consume news is evolving as fast as the stories themselves.
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