Internet Surpasses Television as Primary News Source in Italy, AGCOM Says

The internet has overtaken television as the main source of information for Italians, with more than half the population—52.4%—now relying on online platforms to stay informed, Italy’s communications watchdog AGCOM reported Wednesday.

The Annual Report presented by AGCOM President Giacomo Lasorella highlighted a clear shift in consumption patterns, noting that search engines, social media, and digital platforms of newspapers and magazines have become the dominant gateways to news.

However, Lasorella cautioned that while digital platforms are gaining popularity, they are not regarded as equally trustworthy. “TV, radio, and print media remain sources of information considered more reliable than social networks and platforms,” he said. “This underlines the need to protect and safeguard professional journalism.”

In a call for regulatory modernization, Lasorella also proposed extending pre-election media blackout rules—currently applied to traditional broadcast outlets—to streaming platforms, which are playing an increasingly significant role in disseminating political content.

The report further noted positive trends in the broader communications sector. Telecommunications infrastructure investment in Italy rose by 8.7% to reach €7 billion, while media sector revenues increased by 3.2%, driven by growth in online advertising and television.

AGCOM’s findings reflect both the digital transformation of Italy’s media landscape and the challenges of maintaining information quality in an evolving environment.