A new European Union survey has revealed that Malta tops the EU in its reliance on social media for news — with 74% of Maltese respondents saying they use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X to keep up with social and political current affairs.

The European Parliament’s Social Media Survey 2025 found that social media now far outpaces traditional news sources in Malta, with only 48% saying they still rely on television for such updates, 43% on search engines, 43% on friends and family, and 38% on printed or online newspapers. Radio remains a source for just 27% of respondents.

Across the EU, the average share of people using social media for political news is just 40%, putting Malta nearly double the European norm — a clear reflection of the island’s shift toward a digital-first information culture.

The study also found that 66% of Maltese use digital sources such as social media, video platforms, or online news portals several times a day, while 13% check them daily — meaning almost eight in ten turn to digital media for current affairs at least once every day.

When it comes to platform preferences, Malta once again stands out: 87% of respondents said they use Facebook to follow political or social news — the highest figure in the EU — followed by 35% for Instagram and 33% for YouTube.

Younger respondents (15–24) were the most likely to get their news from Instagram or Facebook, while those aged 40 and above overwhelmingly favoured Facebook.

Despite Malta’s growing digital dependence, 21% said they often encounter fake or misleading news online, a figure slightly above the EU average.

The findings show a country that is highly connected, increasingly participatory, and deeply shaped by online discourse — where the news scroll has firmly replaced the evening bulletin.