WebProNews

Online news sites are now second only to recommendations from friends as the most trusted source of information in the U.S., according to a survey from TNS.

In the U.S. 38 percent of those surveyed cited online news as the most trusted source of information, while 34 percent trusted newspapers and 33 percent TV news.

Globally, the most trusted information source was friends, with 42 percent of those surveyed saying they trusted word-of-mouth recommendations. Almost an equal number trusted TV news (41%), online news (40%) and newspapers (39%).

"It's interesting to see how trusted online news is - with consumers clearly understanding the difference between which online channels can be trusted and which cannot," said Arno Hummerston, Managing Director, TNS Global Interactive. 

"Instead of fighting the web revolution, newspapers seem to be trying to move their business models online, and it seems as though the combination of quality content and a recognized brand name is working, with readership figures of most national newspaper websites up over the last year."

In Western Europe, UK Internet users trusted newspapers the least, while those in France, Italy and Spain put the least trust in TV news.

Private blogs were the least trusted source in almost every country. China was the exception, with 24 percent of Internet users saying they trust them more than free papers and company brochures.