Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes

As a response to the Covid-19 outbreak, Ofcom is providing a range of information about how people are getting news and information about the crisis.

This page contains results from the first ten weeks of the survey. You can also view the latest findings and our interactive data portal.

Week ten

Key findings from week ten of the survey

Fieldwork took place 29–31 May, asking people about their habits and attitudes in the previous seven days. Comparisons are with week one of the research, when fieldwork took place 27–29 March, just after the Prime Minister had announced lockdown measures.

Consumption of news and information about Covid-19

Nine in ten respondents (90%) are still accessing news about Covid-19 at least once a day (vs. 99% in week one). But less than one in ten (7%) are now accessing news about the pandemic at least twenty times a day (vs. 24% in week one).
Around a third of respondents (35%) say they are ‘trying to avoid news about coronavirus’ (vs. 22% in week one). Those aged 18-24 are most likely to say they are avoiding news about Covid-19 (45%). Female respondents (39%) are more likely than male respondents (31%) to say they are avoiding news on the topic.
Among adult internet users, traditional media sources (broadcasters, newspapers, radio) remain both the most-used source of news and information about Covid-19 (88% in week ten vs. 93% in week one) and the most important source of news and information to users (68% in week ten vs. 71% in week one).
Compared to week one, use of social media as a source of information about the pandemic has decreased (38% in week ten vs. 49% in week one), as has use of closed messenger groups (7% vs. 15%). There has also been a decrease in sharing news or information about Covid-19 via social media posts (13% in week ten vs. 25% in week one) or by writing in closed messenger groups (18% vs. 34%). Almost a quarter (23%) now say they have not shared any information or news about Covid-19 either online or by word of mouth in the last week, compared to 11% in week one.

Misinformation related to Covid-19

In week ten, 38% of respondents say they have come across false or misleading information about Covid-19 in the last week - this is lower than results in week one (46%). Just 4% of those who saw misleading information in the last week say they forwarded or shared it (vs. 7% in week one).
The most common piece of misinformation respondents came across (from a select list) is ‘theories linking the origins or causes of Covid-19 to 5G technology’. There has been a decrease in the proportion of respondents coming across this, from 50% in week three when it was first asked, to 30% in week ten.
In week ten, 76% of respondents who use social media say they came across information in the form of banners, pop-ups and upfront notices about coronavirus from official sources (either each time/most times or sometimes).

Attitudes and behaviour related to Covid-19

Around one quarter (24%) of respondents agree with the statement ‘I am confused about what I should be doing in response to coronavirus’. This is an increase from 17% in week one. Three in ten (28%) of 25-34s agree with the statement compared to 21% of over 65s.
The NHS remains the most trusted source for information on Covid-19. More than nine in ten adults who use it for information say they trust it (92% in week ten vs. 95% in week one). A clear majority of respondents using official sources continue to trust the information provided by official scientists (87% in week ten vs. 90% in week one), local health services (86% vs. 92%), the WHO (82% vs. 94%) and the UK government (70% vs. 89%).
Just under four in ten respondents (38%) say they ‘find it hard to know what is true and what is false about coronavirus’, similar to the proportion in week one (40%). Four in ten female respondents (41%) say they find it hard to know what’s true or false, compared to 34% of male respondents. 43% of 16-24s say that they find it hard to know what is true or false, compared to 32% of 55-64s.
Nearly all respondents still say they are closely following official guidance about regular handwashing (90% in week ten vs. 96% in week one) and practising social distancing (96% vs. 98%).
Respondents reported 'Staying at home as much as possible’ (70%), ‘Maintaining social distancing when outside’ (69%) and ‘Washing hands regularly and thoroughly’ (67%) as the three most important official pieces of official advice (combining 1st, 2nd and 3rd rankings).
Nearly a quarter of respondents (23%) say they think ‘the mainstream media is exaggerating the seriousness of coronavirus’, compared to 17% in week one. A quarter of male respondents (26%) agreed with this statement, compared to 20% of female respondents. One in five (19%) of over 65s agreed with the statement compared to 27% of those aged 35-44.
Finally, most respondents (79%) continue to think that ‘this crisis is showing some positive sides of society (e.g. more local/community spirit, support for the NHS)’ (vs. 86% in week one). Those aged over 65 are most likely to agree the crisis is showing positive sides to society (87%) compared to 68% of 25-34s.

We also published the following pieces of analysis. The misinformation report summarises the findings from the questions we have asked about Covid-19 related misinformation, as a contribution to the ongoing debates around the topic. We also have an update on the effects of the pandemic on online consumption.

Covid-19 news and information: summary of views about misinformation (PDF, 258.9 KB)

Effects of Covid-19 on online consumption (PDF, 240.8 KB)

Week eight

Key findings from week eight of the survey

Fieldwork took place 16-17 May, asking people about their habits and attitudes in the previous seven days. Comparisons are with week one of the research, when fieldwork took place on 27-29 March, just after the Prime Minister had addressed the nation and announced lockdown measures.

Consumption of news and information about Covid-19

Nine in ten respondents (92%) are still accessing news about Covid-19 at least once a day (vs. 99% in week one). But less than one in ten (8%) are now accessing news about the pandemic at least twenty times a day (vs. 24% in week one).
A third of respondents (33%) say they are ‘trying to avoid news about coronavirus’ (vs. 22% in week one). Those aged 25-34 are most likely to say they are avoiding news about Covid-19 (43%). Female respondents (35%) are more likely than male respondents (30%) to say they are avoiding news on the topic.
Among adult internet users, traditional media sources (broadcasters, newspapers, radio) remain both the most-used source of news and information about Covid-19 (88% in week eight vs. 93% in week one) and the most important source of news and information to users (65% in week eight vs. 71% in week one). BBC services (TV, radio and online) remain the most used (78% in week eight, 82% in week one) and most important sources of information (51% in week eight, 52% in week one).
Compared to week one, use of social media as a source of information about the pandemic has decreased (37% in week eight vs. 49% in week one), as has use of closed groups (9% vs. 15%). There has also been a decrease in sharing news or information about Covid-19 via social media posts (15% in week eight vs. 25% in week one) or by writing in closed messenger groups (21% vs. 34%). Just over a fifth (21%) now say they have not shared any information or news about Covid-19 either online or by word of mouth in the last week, compared to 11% in week one.

Misinformation related to Covid-19

In week eight, 43% of respondents say they have come across false or misleading information about Covid-19 in the last week. This is slightly lower than results in week one (46%). Just 4% of those who saw misleading information in the last week say they forwarded or shared it (vs. 7% in week one).
The most common piece of misinformation respondents came across (from a select list) was ‘theories linking the origins or causes of Covid-19 to 5G technology’. There has been a decrease in the proportion of respondents coming across this, from 50% in week three to 35% in week eight.

Attitudes and behaviour related to Covid-19

More than a quarter (26%) of respondents agree with the statement: ‘I am confused about what I should be doing in response to Coronavirus’. This is an increase from 16% in week seven and 17% in week one. 37% of 25-34s agree with the statement compared to only 20% of over 65s.
The NHS remains the most trusted source for information on Covid-19. More than nine in ten adults who use it for information say they trust it (93% in week eight vs. 95% in week one). A clear majority of respondents using official sources continue to trust the information provided by official scientists (88% in week eight vs. 90% in week one), local health services (88% vs. 92%), the WHO (84% vs. 94%) and the government (79% vs. 84%).
Four in ten respondents (40%) say they ‘find it hard to know what is true and what is false about Coronavirus’, in line with results from week one (40%). Over four in ten female respondents (44%) say they find it hard to know what’s true or false, compared to 36% of male respondents. 46% of 16-34s say that they find it hard to know what is true or false, compared to 33% of over 65s.
Nearly all respondents still say they are closely following official guidance about regular handwashing (90% in week eight vs. 96% in week one), only going outside the home for essential shopping and exercise (95% vs. 97%) and practising social distancing (97% vs. 98%).
Nearly a quarter of respondents (24%) say they think ‘the mainstream media is exaggerating the seriousness of Coronavirus’, compared to 17% in week one. Three in ten male respondents (30%) agree with this statement, compared to 19% of female respondents. Only 19% of over 65s agree with the statement whereas a third (33%) of 24-34s agree with the statement.
Finally, most respondents (84%) continue to think that ‘this crisis is showing some positive sides of society (e.g. more local/community spirit, support for the NHS)’ (vs. 86% in week one). Those aged over 65 are most likely to agree the crisis is showing positive sides to society (88%).

We have also published the following piece of analysis:

Early effects of Covid-19 on TV viewing (PDF, 193.5 KB)

Week seven

We will now be publishing the key findings from this research on a fortnightly basis, with our next full report due on Tuesday 26 May. Our interactive data report will continue to be updated on a weekly basis.

We have also published the following report. In this report, ten participants from our qualitative Adults' Media Lives study were interviewed using a video conferencing platform in the early-lockdown period (30 March – 6 April 2020). Participants discussed how the lockdown was affecting them, how their media behaviour was changing and how they were staying informed at this time.

Although the sample is small, participants represented a cross-section of individuals aged 20-75 across the UK, affected by lockdown in different ways.

Adults' Media Lives: Covid-19 early lockdown interviews (PDF, 136.8 KB)

Week six

Key findings from week six of the survey

Fieldwork took place from 1-3 May, asking people about their habits and attitudes of the previous seven days.

Consumption of news and information about Covid-19

Nine in ten respondents (94%) are still accessing news about Covid-19 at least once a day (vs. 99% in week one). But less than one in ten (8%) are now accessing news about the pandemic at least twenty times a day (vs. 24% in week one).
A third of respondents (33%) say they are ‘trying to avoid news about Coronavirus’ (vs. 22% in week one). Those aged 18-24 and 25-34 are most likely to say they are avoiding news about Covid-19 (44% of both groups). Female respondents (37%) are more likely than male respondents (29%) to say they are avoiding news on the topic.
Among adult internet users, traditional media sources (broadcasters, newspapers, radio) remain both the most-used source of news and information about Covid-19 (89% in week six vs. 93% in week one,) and the most important source of news and information to users (64% in week six vs. 71% in week one). BBC services (TV, radio and online) remain the most used (77% in week six, 82% in week one,) and most important sources of information (50% in week six, 52% in week one).
Compared to week one, use of social media as a source of information about the pandemic has decreased (38% in week six vs. 49% in week one), as has use of closed groups (9% vs. 15%). There has also been a decrease in sharing news or information about Covid-19 via social media posts (15% in week six vs. 25% in week one) or by writing in closed messenger groups (21% vs. 34%). A fifth (20%) now say they have not shared any information or news about Covid-19 either online or by word of mouth in the last week, compared 11% in week one.

Misinformation related to Covid-19

In week six, 47% of respondents say they have come across false or misleading information about Covid-19 in the last week. This is slightly lower than results in week five (50%). Just 4% of those who saw misleading information in the last week say they forwarded or shared it (vs. 7% in week one).
As in weeks four and five, the most common piece of misinformation respondents came across (from a select list) was ‘theories linking the origins or causes of Covid-19 to 5G technology’. There has been a small decrease in the proportion of respondents coming across this, from 51% in week four to 45% in week six. The number of adults who have not come across any false or misleading information (from a select list) has increased to 40% in week six vs. 37% in week five.

Attitudes and behaviour related to Covid-19

The NHS remains the most trusted source for information on Covid-19. Nine in ten adults who use it for information say they trust it (92% in week six vs. 95% in week one). A clear majority of respondents using official sources continue to trust the information provided by official scientists (91% in week six vs. 90% in week one), local health services (84% vs. 92%), the WHO (81% vs. 94%) and the government (78% vs. 84%).
More than a third of respondents (38%) say they ‘find it hard to know what is true and what is false about Coronavirus’, in line with results from week one (40%). Over four in ten female respondents (41%) say they find it hard to know what’s true or false, compared to 34% of male respondents. 44% of 16-34s say that they find it hard to know what is true or false, compared to 33% of over 65s.
Nearly all respondents still say they are closely following official guidance about regular handwashing (91% in week six vs. 96% in week one), only going outside the home for essential shopping and exercise (97% vs. 97%) and practising social distancing (98% vs. 98%).
A fifth of respondents (20%) say they think ‘the mainstream media is exaggerating the seriousness of Coronavirus’, 17% in week one. Nearly a quarter of male respondents (24%) agree with this statement, compared to 15% of female respondents. Only 14% of over 65s agree with the statement whereas a quarter (25%) of both 24-34s and 35-44s agree.
Finally, most respondents (83%) continue to think that ‘this crisis is showing some positive sides of society (e.g. more local/community spirit, support for the NHS)’ (vs. 86% in week one). Those aged over 65 are most likely to agree the crisis is showing positive sides to society (90%).

We have also published the following pieces of analysis:

Covid-19 news and information: 12-15 year old children's news consumption and attitudes (PDF, 286.0 KB)

Covid-19 news and information: 12-15 year old children's news consumption and attitudes – data tables (XLSX, 342.5 KB)

Covid-19 news and information: 12-15 year old children's news consumption and attitudes – data (CSV, 242.0 KB)

Covid-19 news and information: 12-15 year old children's news consumption and attitudes – questions (PDF, 157.8 KB)

Key findings from week five of the survey

Consumption of news and information about Covid-19

Nine in ten respondents (93%) are still accessing news about Covid-19 at least once a day (vs. 99% in week one). But just one in ten (10%) are now accessing news about the pandemic at least twenty times a day (vs. 24% in week one).
More than a third of respondents (34%) say they are ‘trying to avoid news about Coronavirus’ (vs. 22% in week one). Those aged 18-24 and 25-34 are most likely to say they are avoiding news about Covid-19 (43% of both groups). Female respondents (38%) are more likely than male respondents (30%) to say they are avoiding news on the topic.
Among adult internet users, traditional media sources (broadcasters, newspapers, radio) remain both the most-used source of news and information about Covid-19 (86% in week five, 93% in week one,) and the most important source of news and information to users (66% in week five, 71% in week one). Within the traditional media sources, BBC services (TV, radio and online) remain the most used (74% in week five, 82% in week one,) and most important sources of information (49% in week five, 52% in week one,).
Compared to week one, use of social media as a source of information about the pandemic has decreased (34% in week five vs. 49% in week one), as has use of closed groups (7% vs. 15%). There has also been a decrease in sharing news or information about Covid-19 via social media posts (14% in week five vs. 25% in week one) or by writing in closed messenger groups (17% vs. 34%). A quarter (25%) now say they have not shared any information or news about Covid-19 either online or by word of mouth in the last week, an increase from 11% in week one.

Misinformation related to Covid-19

In week five, 50% of respondents say they have come across false or misleading information about Covid-19 in the last week. This is higher than results in week four (44%) but in line with those from week three (50%). Just 3% of those who saw misleading information in the last week say they forwarded or shared it (vs. 7% in week one).
As in weeks three and four, the most common piece of misinformation respondents came across (from a select list) was ‘theories linking the origins or causes of Covid-19 to 5G technology’. There has been a small decrease in the proportion of respondents coming across this, from 51% in week four to 47% in week five. In week five, 9% of respondents said they had seen ‘other’ pieces of misinformation outside of those on our select list which related to ‘injecting disinfectant’ and ‘exposure to UV light’.

Attitudes and behaviour related to Covid-19

The NHS remains the most trusted source for information on Covid-19. Nine in ten adults who use it for information say they trust it (91% in week five, 95% in week one). A clear majority of respondents using official sources continue to trust the information provided by official scientists (87% in week five vs. 90% in week one), local health services (84% vs. 91%), the WHO (81% vs. 94%) and the government (78% vs. 89%).
More than a third of respondents (36%) say they ‘find it hard to know what is true and what is false about Coronavirus’, in line with results from week four (36%). Nearly four in ten female respondents (39%) say they find it hard to know what’s true or false, compared to 32% of male respondents.
Nearly all respondents still say they are closely following official guidance about regular handwashing (91% in week five vs. 92% in week four), only going outside the home for essential shopping and exercise (96% vs. 97%) and practising social distancing (97% vs. 98%).
A fifth of respondents (20%) say they think ‘the mainstream media is exaggerating the seriousness of Coronavirus’, in line with results from week four (20%). Nearly a quarter of male respondents (24%) agree with this statement, compared to 17% of female respondents.
Finally, most respondents (84%) continue to think that ‘this crisis is showing some positive sides of society (e.g. more local/community spirit, support for the NHS)’ (vs. 83% in week four). Those aged over 65 are most likely to agree the crisis is showing positive sides to society (92%).

We have also published the following pieces of analysis:

Results by ethnicity, using a combined dataset from weeks one to four of the survey (PDF, 262.3 KB)

Early effects of Covid-19 on online consumption (PDF, 189.0 KB)

Week four

Key findings from week four of the survey

Consumption of news and information about Covid-19

Among adult internet users, traditional media sources (broadcasters, print media etc.) remain both the most-used source of news and information about Covid-19 (93% in week one, 89% in week four) and the most important source of news and information to users (71% in both weeks one and four). Within the traditional media sources, BBC services (TV, radio and online) remain the most used by some margin. Three quarters (76%) use the BBC as a source of news/information, although this is a decrease on week one (82%). BBC services also remain the most important source of information (52% in week one, 49% in week four).
Almost all respondents are still accessing news about Covid-19 at least once a day, but this has decreased slightly (99% in week one, 96% in week four). It appears that people are not accessing news and information as frequently as in the first week of lockdown. In week one, a quarter of respondents (24%) said they were accessing news about Covid-19 twenty or more times a day, but this decreased to 17% in week two and 14% in week three. This has now decreased further to 12%.
Furthermore, three in ten respondents (30%) now say that they are ‘trying to avoid news about Coronavirus’, up from 22% in week one and 27% in weeks two and three. Those aged 18-24 are most likely to say they are avoiding news about Covid-19 (42%).
Compared to week one, respondents are now more likely to say they have not shared any information or news about Covid-19 in the past week (11% in week one vs. 18% in week four).

Misinformation related to Covid-19

During the fourth week of lockdown, 44% of respondents say they have come across false or misleading information about Covid-19. This is lower than 50% in week three, but roughly in line with results from week two (45%) and week one (46%).
There has been a small decrease in the proportion of respondents saying they have done something after coming across false or misleading news/information about Covid-19 (45% in week one, 41% in week four).
As in week three, the most common piece of misinformation that people have come across in week four (from a select list) was ‘theories linking the origins or causes of Covid-19 to 5G technology’ (50% in week three, 51% in week four).

Attitudes and behaviour related to Covid-19

The NHS remains the most trusted source for information on Covid-19. Nine in ten adults who use it for information say they trust it (93% in week four, 95% in week one). Trust in some official sources has decreased between weeks one and four, but a clear majority of respondents using these sources continue to trust the information provided by the WHO (87% in week four vs. 94% in week one), local health services (81% vs. 91%), the government (80% vs. 89%) and official scientists (78% vs. 90%).
36% of respondents say they ‘find it hard to know what is true and what is false about Coronavirus’, an increase from 32% in week three, but still lower than 40% in week one. Furthermore, 16% say they are ‘confused about what I should be doing in response to Coronavirus’, an increase from 12% in week three and in line with 17% in week one.
Most respondents (83%) continue to think that ‘this crisis is showing some positive sides of society (e.g. more local/community spirit, support for the NHS)’ (vs. 84% in week three). Nearly all respondents continue to say they are closely following official guidance about regular hand washing (92% vs. 94% in week three), only going outside the home for essential shopping and exercise (97% vs. 97% in week three) and practising social distancing (98% vs. 98% in week three).

We have also published the following pieces of analysis:

Results by UK nation, using a combined dataset from weeks one to four of the survey (PDF, 526.4 KB)

Newyddion a gwybodaeth am Covid-19: defnydd ac agweddau – canlyniadau’r DU fesul Gwlad (tonnau un i bedwar arolwg ar-lein Ofcom wedi'u cyfuno) (PDF, 330.6 KB)

Our latest analysis of TV consumption using BARB data (PDF, 191.6 KB)

Weeks one to three

Key findings from weeks one to three of the survey

Almost all of the UK online population continue to access news and information about Covid-19 at least once a day.
BBC services are still the most used source for news and information on Covid-19.
One in five respondents say they are not sharing information about Covid-19 – an increase since week one.
Half of all respondents say they have come across false or misleading information.
50% of respondents have seen theories linking Covid-19 with 5G.
Virtually all respondents continue to say they are following official advice on the coronavirus.
Official sources, such as the NHS and the WHO, so far tend to be the most trusted.
The proportion of people 'finding it hard to know what's true and what's false about Covid-19' has decreased.
An increasing number of people agree they are 'trying to avoid news about coronavirus'.
Respondents almost universally agree that the crisis has shown positive sides to society.

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – results from weeks one to three (PDF, 327.6 KB)

Newyddion a gwybodaeth am Covid-19: defnydd ac agweddau – canlyniadau arolwg ar-lein Ofcom ar gyfer wythnos un i dri (PDF, 446.3 KB)

Week one

Key findings from week one of the survey

Almost all of the UK online population are accessing news and information about Covid-19 at least once a day.
BBC services are the most used source for news and information by some margin.
36% of respondents named BBC TV as their most important source for news and information.
46% of respondents say they have come across false or misleading information.
55% of people that came across false or misleading information did not take any action.
Virtually all respondents say they are following official advice on the coronavirus.
Official sources, such as the NHS and the WHO, tend to be the most trusted.
40% of respondents agree that they are 'finding it hard to know what's true and what's false about Covid-19'.
One in five people agree they are 'trying to avoid news about the coronavirus'.
86% of respondents agree that the crisis has shown positive sides to society.

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – results from week one (PDF, 262.9 KB)

Newyddion a gwybodaeth am Covid-19: defnydd ac agweddau – canlyniadau arolwg ar-lein Ofcom ar gyfer wythnos (PDF, 284.0 KB)

Supporting documents

Covid-19 news and information: consumption and attitudes – previous results

Week ten

Week eight

Week seven

Week six

Week four

Weeks one to three

Week one

See also...