By Teresa Parraz. Mentor Prof Jake Greenberg. In today’s rapidly evolving digital media landscape, assessing undergraduate students’ trust in news sources is essential for understanding media literacy and political engagement. This study examines the news consumption habits of the University of New Mexico (UNM) undergraduate student population with an emphasis on their news sources as well as how they use social media as a primary platform for news consumption. Focusing on trust in both traditional and digital media outlets, the research investigates how social media influences students’ perceptions and thought processes regarding the 2024 presidential election. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), UNM offers a distinctive context to explore how racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds intersect with media trust and usage.
Utilizing survey data from 398 respondents, the study reveals that 85.75% of students consume news about the 2024 election via social media, yet only 3.38% completely trust social media as a news source, with the majority expressing neutral or skeptical views. Furthermore, 60.87% of students acknowledge that social media has the potential to sway their electoral opinions, highlighting the platform’s significant influence on political perspectives. The findings provide valuable insights for educators, journalists, and policymakers seeking to enhance news literacy and foster informed political engagement among young adults.