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The Age
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Australians believe influencers peddle misinformation. So why are they so popular?
The research forms part of the annual Digital News Report compiled by the University of Canberra's News and Media Research Centre and part of an international annual survey led by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. The study surveyed more than 100,000 people worldwide, of whom 2006 were Australian. In the United States, where podcasters Joe Rogan and Theo Von played a major role in the election of Donald Trump, politicians are considered the main misinformation threat. Loading While younger Australians consume news on social platforms due to the convenience of different formats, the report's author, Sora Park from the University of Canberra, says they are aware of potential shortcomings of news coming from less trusted or verified sources. 'While they rely on these influencers, they also know that sometimes they're not accurate, and that mostly they're not journalists,' Park says. But they value, and actively seek, a perspective in their news, says Park, with the research showing older audiences value truth and accuracy in reporting at almost twice the rate of those aged under 35. Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube are at the heart of the evolution of the traditional newsroom, says Nathan Powell, chief product and strategy officer at influencer marketing and data firm Fabulate. Trust is no longer earned through a press badge, says Powell, but rather through personality, consistency and perceived authenticity. 'The lines are blurring between journalist, commentator and entertainer, and that evolution is redefining how news is delivered and who gets to deliver it,' Powell says. Loading This year's election signalled the arrival of new media, with the Labor government inviting friendly online commentators and influencers into the federal budget lockup for the first time. Phoebe Saintilan-Stocks, founder of woman-focused outlet Missing Perspectives, was part of this 'new media' cohort, and told the report it was a clear signal the government was attuned to the shifts taking place, with new players like herself influential as sources for Gen Z and Millennial audiences. 'The response to us being invited to Canberra, along with a collection of content creators and other 'new media', was totally unexpected — but maybe I was naive. As social-first media, we were made to feel unwelcome and branded as 'influencers' — and the fact that we attended the budget lockup became the story itself in legacy and mainstream media.' The backlash is partly owed to the view that there are few checks and balances to ensure influencers and new media commentators meet the same standards to which traditional press are held. One of Australia's most popular online personalities and podcasters, Abbie Chatfield, was the subject of an Australian Electoral Commission review over her election posts, and whether they should have an authorisation message. Chatfield was cleared of any wrongdoing after the AEC reviewed whether her combined posts with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Greens leader Adam Bandt breached electoral laws. However, Park predicts that electoral laws will change in the near future to ensure professional standards are met when considering politically influential material, regardless of its source. 'The trend that social media is a source of news is growing, and [the proportion of] people who only rely on social media will become bigger and bigger, so as that population grows, then definitely there needs to be some consideration about the quality of information that they provide,' Park says. Olympic diver Sam Fricker has a large online audience and has interviewed subjects from across the political spectrum, including then opposition leader Peter Dutton and Labor minister Chris Bowen. During the election cycle, Fricker travelled to Queensland to interview billionaire Clive Palmer, even staying at Palmer's Coolum resort, which was closed to the public at the time. Honesty, integrity, respect and goodwill are the most important values to uphold for creators, says Fricker, who says he stays neutral in all interviews, but was pressed in the lead-up to the election to disclose his own politics. 'When I've had political guests on, I've made a real effort to stay neutral. I've asked them all very similar questions, and the tone always comes from a place of curiosity and respect. I've never taken sides or tried to influence any vote, that's not what I'm about.' Most prominent online commentators now openly speak from a partisan perspective. During an 'influencer debate' organised by SBS' The Feed, six political commentators were placed in a room together ahead of the election and each was introduced and their political leaning disclosed. Chatfield was sold as a Greens voter, Cheek Media's Hannah Ferguson as a Greens member and teal supporter, and Freya Leach, a popular conservative online personality, as a Liberal Party member. Loading While the outcome was not a level-headed debate, it made compelling viewing, with young audiences increasingly seeking out news and personalities with a perspective that aligns with their own. Influencers being upfront with their politics resonates with their audiences, says Park. With disinformation rife across the media and social platforms, Cheek Media's Ferguson says regulation and accountability are crucial to ensure Australians are consuming news they can trust.
Sydney Morning Herald
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australians believe influencers peddle misinformation. So why are they so popular?
The research forms part of the annual Digital News Report compiled by the University of Canberra's News and Media Research Centre and part of an international annual survey led by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. The study surveyed more than 100,000 people worldwide, of whom 2006 were Australian. In the United States, where podcasters Joe Rogan and Theo Von played a major role in the election of Donald Trump, politicians are considered the main misinformation threat. Loading While younger Australians consume news on social platforms due to the convenience of different formats, the report's author, Sora Park from the University of Canberra, says they are aware of potential shortcomings of news coming from less trusted or verified sources. 'While they rely on these influencers, they also know that sometimes they're not accurate, and that mostly they're not journalists,' Park says. But they value, and actively seek, a perspective in their news, says Park, with the research showing older audiences value truth and accuracy in reporting at almost twice the rate of those aged under 35. Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube are at the heart of the evolution of the traditional newsroom, says Nathan Powell, chief product and strategy officer at influencer marketing and data firm Fabulate. Trust is no longer earned through a press badge, says Powell, but rather through personality, consistency and perceived authenticity. 'The lines are blurring between journalist, commentator and entertainer, and that evolution is redefining how news is delivered and who gets to deliver it,' Powell says. Loading This year's election signalled the arrival of new media, with the Labor government inviting friendly online commentators and influencers into the federal budget lockup for the first time. Phoebe Saintilan-Stocks, founder of woman-focused outlet Missing Perspectives, was part of this 'new media' cohort, and told the report it was a clear signal the government was attuned to the shifts taking place, with new players like herself influential as sources for Gen Z and Millennial audiences. 'The response to us being invited to Canberra, along with a collection of content creators and other 'new media', was totally unexpected — but maybe I was naive. As social-first media, we were made to feel unwelcome and branded as 'influencers' — and the fact that we attended the budget lockup became the story itself in legacy and mainstream media.' The backlash is partly owed to the view that there are few checks and balances to ensure influencers and new media commentators meet the same standards to which traditional press are held. One of Australia's most popular online personalities and podcasters, Abbie Chatfield, was the subject of an Australian Electoral Commission review over her election posts, and whether they should have an authorisation message. Chatfield was cleared of any wrongdoing after the AEC reviewed whether her combined posts with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Greens leader Adam Bandt breached electoral laws. However, Park predicts that electoral laws will change in the near future to ensure professional standards are met when considering politically influential material, regardless of its source. 'The trend that social media is a source of news is growing, and [the proportion of] people who only rely on social media will become bigger and bigger, so as that population grows, then definitely there needs to be some consideration about the quality of information that they provide,' Park says. Olympic diver Sam Fricker has a large online audience and has interviewed subjects from across the political spectrum, including then opposition leader Peter Dutton and Labor minister Chris Bowen. During the election cycle, Fricker travelled to Queensland to interview billionaire Clive Palmer, even staying at Palmer's Coolum resort, which was closed to the public at the time. Honesty, integrity, respect and goodwill are the most important values to uphold for creators, says Fricker, who says he stays neutral in all interviews, but was pressed in the lead-up to the election to disclose his own politics. 'When I've had political guests on, I've made a real effort to stay neutral. I've asked them all very similar questions, and the tone always comes from a place of curiosity and respect. I've never taken sides or tried to influence any vote, that's not what I'm about.' Most prominent online commentators now openly speak from a partisan perspective. During an 'influencer debate' organised by SBS' The Feed, six political commentators were placed in a room together ahead of the election and each was introduced and their political leaning disclosed. Chatfield was sold as a Greens voter, Cheek Media's Hannah Ferguson as a Greens member and teal supporter, and Freya Leach, a popular conservative online personality, as a Liberal Party member. Loading While the outcome was not a level-headed debate, it made compelling viewing, with young audiences increasingly seeking out news and personalities with a perspective that aligns with their own. Influencers being upfront with their politics resonates with their audiences, says Park. With disinformation rife across the media and social platforms, Cheek Media's Ferguson says regulation and accountability are crucial to ensure Australians are consuming news they can trust.
The Advertiser
17-06-2025
- General
- The Advertiser
Social media-sourced news grows, readers express 'distrust' with mainstream media
How you are reading this sentence - whether from a social media link or directly on a news website - may determine how much you trust it. According to an annual global study of news habits, it is most likely the former. Social media as Australians' main source of news has increased to 26 per cent and has overtaken online news sites (23 per cent) for the first time. Meanwhile, the number of readers who say they no longer trust news reporting has risen to 32 per cent (up 8 per cent since 2016). These figures come from the Digital News Report: Australia 2025 conducted by the News and Media Research Centre at the University of Canberra surveyed 2006 adults. It is part of a global annual survey of digital news consumption in 48 countries, commissioned by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford. The Report paints a picture of growing distrust in mainstream news and the perception of a polluted online information environment where people find it hard to discern facts from fake news. Worryingly, of the 48 countries surveyed, Australians have the highest level of concern about what is real or fake online, with three-quarters saying they are worried about it. This is especially true of social media where Australians see Facebook (59 per cent) and TikTok (57 per cent) as the two social media platforms posing the biggest threat of spreading misinformation. Facebook is still the most visited social media site for news (38 per cent) but other video-based platforms are gaining popularity with almost one-third of consumers saying they use YouTube and one-in-five using Instagram for news. TikTok is the fastest-growing social media platform for news at 14 per cent which is up 12 per cent since 2020, particularly among younger generations. The growing use of social media and the decline in trust is accompanied by a loss of interest in news, and growing news avoidance. Over the past decade, there has been a significant drop in news interest, particularly among women and those aged 35+. More than two-thirds (69 per cent) of Australians say they often, sometimes or occasionally avoid the news. The reasons given range from the negative impact it has on their mood (46 per cent), perceptions of untrustworthiness or bias (37 per cent), and news fatigue (32 per cent). Trust is also an important factor that correlates with people's decision to avoid news. Consumers who trust the news are much less likely to say they avoid it (60 per cent) than those who distrust the news (79 per cent). People who are concerned about misinformation are also much more likely to say they avoid news (71 per cent) compared to those who are not worried about it (53 per cent). This implies that the environment in which news is situated has an impact on audiences' attitudes toward it. While they may not necessarily see misinformation on news platforms, the sheer volume of information online and concerns about false information can lead people to withdraw from news consumption. How can news organisations re-engage audiences who are losing faith in news? While much of the data reflects the decline of mainstream news consumption, it also points to possible remedies for these downward trends. In this year's survey, we asked if respondents had received any type of education or training - formal or informal - about how to use the news. News literacy is a sub-concept of media literacy and refers to the skills that help audiences have control over their relationship with news, alongside knowing how news is produced and distributed. News literacy education aims to develop a critical understanding of news, and how to analyse and assess the quality of sources. In Australia, there are few news literacy programs. However, broader media literacy education has been conducted in primary schools since 2012 after the Australian Curriculum, Assessment, and Reporting Authority identified it as a mandatory learning objective. But, for adults and vulnerable social groups, there is not much on offer. The majority of participants (70 per cent) in our survey say they have not had any news literacy education or training. There is a big generational gap. Only 5 per cent of participants aged 65 or older say they have received any kind of education about the news over their lifetime, compared to more than half of 18-24-year-olds. Notable differences are also found between men (29 per cent) and women (19 per cent), city (26 per cent) and regional participants (19 per cent). More importantly, there are critical differences in the attitudes and behaviours between Australian consumers who have received news literacy education and those who have not. Not only are people with news education more likely to pay for news, they are also more interested in news and less likely to avoid it. While they are more likely to be concerned about misinformation, their knowledge of how things work in an online environment means people with news literacy are not deterred by this because they feel more confident in their ability to discern misinformation. When it comes to checking online information that may be false, misleading, or fake, people who have received news literacy education are much more likely to say they go to news sources they trust (50 per cent) compared to those who have not (36 per cent). They are also more likely to turn to official websites and fact-checking. These active verification behaviours confirm the importance of news literacy education in helping Australian consumers navigate the complex online environment. Combined, this year's data provides a strong signal to policymakers and the news media to educate the public about how the news works, its role in society and how to critically evaluate it. Given concerns about social cohesion in Australia, and the rise of more populist approaches to politics, there is a growing need for citizens to be equipped with news literacy education. With half of people who pay for news saying they have received some kind of news literacy training, increasing media literacy levels across the population also makes good economic sense for the news industry. Digital News Report: Australia is produced by the News and Media Research Centre (N&MRC) at the University of Canberra. YouGov conducted the survey in January-February 2025. The data are weighted for age, gender and region. Education and political quotas were applied. In Australia, this is the eleventh annual survey of its kind produced by the N&MRC. How you are reading this sentence - whether from a social media link or directly on a news website - may determine how much you trust it. According to an annual global study of news habits, it is most likely the former. Social media as Australians' main source of news has increased to 26 per cent and has overtaken online news sites (23 per cent) for the first time. Meanwhile, the number of readers who say they no longer trust news reporting has risen to 32 per cent (up 8 per cent since 2016). These figures come from the Digital News Report: Australia 2025 conducted by the News and Media Research Centre at the University of Canberra surveyed 2006 adults. It is part of a global annual survey of digital news consumption in 48 countries, commissioned by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford. The Report paints a picture of growing distrust in mainstream news and the perception of a polluted online information environment where people find it hard to discern facts from fake news. Worryingly, of the 48 countries surveyed, Australians have the highest level of concern about what is real or fake online, with three-quarters saying they are worried about it. This is especially true of social media where Australians see Facebook (59 per cent) and TikTok (57 per cent) as the two social media platforms posing the biggest threat of spreading misinformation. Facebook is still the most visited social media site for news (38 per cent) but other video-based platforms are gaining popularity with almost one-third of consumers saying they use YouTube and one-in-five using Instagram for news. TikTok is the fastest-growing social media platform for news at 14 per cent which is up 12 per cent since 2020, particularly among younger generations. The growing use of social media and the decline in trust is accompanied by a loss of interest in news, and growing news avoidance. Over the past decade, there has been a significant drop in news interest, particularly among women and those aged 35+. More than two-thirds (69 per cent) of Australians say they often, sometimes or occasionally avoid the news. The reasons given range from the negative impact it has on their mood (46 per cent), perceptions of untrustworthiness or bias (37 per cent), and news fatigue (32 per cent). Trust is also an important factor that correlates with people's decision to avoid news. Consumers who trust the news are much less likely to say they avoid it (60 per cent) than those who distrust the news (79 per cent). People who are concerned about misinformation are also much more likely to say they avoid news (71 per cent) compared to those who are not worried about it (53 per cent). This implies that the environment in which news is situated has an impact on audiences' attitudes toward it. While they may not necessarily see misinformation on news platforms, the sheer volume of information online and concerns about false information can lead people to withdraw from news consumption. How can news organisations re-engage audiences who are losing faith in news? While much of the data reflects the decline of mainstream news consumption, it also points to possible remedies for these downward trends. In this year's survey, we asked if respondents had received any type of education or training - formal or informal - about how to use the news. News literacy is a sub-concept of media literacy and refers to the skills that help audiences have control over their relationship with news, alongside knowing how news is produced and distributed. News literacy education aims to develop a critical understanding of news, and how to analyse and assess the quality of sources. In Australia, there are few news literacy programs. However, broader media literacy education has been conducted in primary schools since 2012 after the Australian Curriculum, Assessment, and Reporting Authority identified it as a mandatory learning objective. But, for adults and vulnerable social groups, there is not much on offer. The majority of participants (70 per cent) in our survey say they have not had any news literacy education or training. There is a big generational gap. Only 5 per cent of participants aged 65 or older say they have received any kind of education about the news over their lifetime, compared to more than half of 18-24-year-olds. Notable differences are also found between men (29 per cent) and women (19 per cent), city (26 per cent) and regional participants (19 per cent). More importantly, there are critical differences in the attitudes and behaviours between Australian consumers who have received news literacy education and those who have not. Not only are people with news education more likely to pay for news, they are also more interested in news and less likely to avoid it. While they are more likely to be concerned about misinformation, their knowledge of how things work in an online environment means people with news literacy are not deterred by this because they feel more confident in their ability to discern misinformation. When it comes to checking online information that may be false, misleading, or fake, people who have received news literacy education are much more likely to say they go to news sources they trust (50 per cent) compared to those who have not (36 per cent). They are also more likely to turn to official websites and fact-checking. These active verification behaviours confirm the importance of news literacy education in helping Australian consumers navigate the complex online environment. Combined, this year's data provides a strong signal to policymakers and the news media to educate the public about how the news works, its role in society and how to critically evaluate it. Given concerns about social cohesion in Australia, and the rise of more populist approaches to politics, there is a growing need for citizens to be equipped with news literacy education. With half of people who pay for news saying they have received some kind of news literacy training, increasing media literacy levels across the population also makes good economic sense for the news industry. Digital News Report: Australia is produced by the News and Media Research Centre (N&MRC) at the University of Canberra. YouGov conducted the survey in January-February 2025. The data are weighted for age, gender and region. Education and political quotas were applied. In Australia, this is the eleventh annual survey of its kind produced by the N&MRC. How you are reading this sentence - whether from a social media link or directly on a news website - may determine how much you trust it. According to an annual global study of news habits, it is most likely the former. Social media as Australians' main source of news has increased to 26 per cent and has overtaken online news sites (23 per cent) for the first time. Meanwhile, the number of readers who say they no longer trust news reporting has risen to 32 per cent (up 8 per cent since 2016). These figures come from the Digital News Report: Australia 2025 conducted by the News and Media Research Centre at the University of Canberra surveyed 2006 adults. It is part of a global annual survey of digital news consumption in 48 countries, commissioned by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford. The Report paints a picture of growing distrust in mainstream news and the perception of a polluted online information environment where people find it hard to discern facts from fake news. Worryingly, of the 48 countries surveyed, Australians have the highest level of concern about what is real or fake online, with three-quarters saying they are worried about it. This is especially true of social media where Australians see Facebook (59 per cent) and TikTok (57 per cent) as the two social media platforms posing the biggest threat of spreading misinformation. Facebook is still the most visited social media site for news (38 per cent) but other video-based platforms are gaining popularity with almost one-third of consumers saying they use YouTube and one-in-five using Instagram for news. TikTok is the fastest-growing social media platform for news at 14 per cent which is up 12 per cent since 2020, particularly among younger generations. The growing use of social media and the decline in trust is accompanied by a loss of interest in news, and growing news avoidance. Over the past decade, there has been a significant drop in news interest, particularly among women and those aged 35+. More than two-thirds (69 per cent) of Australians say they often, sometimes or occasionally avoid the news. The reasons given range from the negative impact it has on their mood (46 per cent), perceptions of untrustworthiness or bias (37 per cent), and news fatigue (32 per cent). Trust is also an important factor that correlates with people's decision to avoid news. Consumers who trust the news are much less likely to say they avoid it (60 per cent) than those who distrust the news (79 per cent). People who are concerned about misinformation are also much more likely to say they avoid news (71 per cent) compared to those who are not worried about it (53 per cent). This implies that the environment in which news is situated has an impact on audiences' attitudes toward it. While they may not necessarily see misinformation on news platforms, the sheer volume of information online and concerns about false information can lead people to withdraw from news consumption. How can news organisations re-engage audiences who are losing faith in news? While much of the data reflects the decline of mainstream news consumption, it also points to possible remedies for these downward trends. In this year's survey, we asked if respondents had received any type of education or training - formal or informal - about how to use the news. News literacy is a sub-concept of media literacy and refers to the skills that help audiences have control over their relationship with news, alongside knowing how news is produced and distributed. News literacy education aims to develop a critical understanding of news, and how to analyse and assess the quality of sources. In Australia, there are few news literacy programs. However, broader media literacy education has been conducted in primary schools since 2012 after the Australian Curriculum, Assessment, and Reporting Authority identified it as a mandatory learning objective. But, for adults and vulnerable social groups, there is not much on offer. The majority of participants (70 per cent) in our survey say they have not had any news literacy education or training. There is a big generational gap. Only 5 per cent of participants aged 65 or older say they have received any kind of education about the news over their lifetime, compared to more than half of 18-24-year-olds. Notable differences are also found between men (29 per cent) and women (19 per cent), city (26 per cent) and regional participants (19 per cent). More importantly, there are critical differences in the attitudes and behaviours between Australian consumers who have received news literacy education and those who have not. Not only are people with news education more likely to pay for news, they are also more interested in news and less likely to avoid it. While they are more likely to be concerned about misinformation, their knowledge of how things work in an online environment means people with news literacy are not deterred by this because they feel more confident in their ability to discern misinformation. When it comes to checking online information that may be false, misleading, or fake, people who have received news literacy education are much more likely to say they go to news sources they trust (50 per cent) compared to those who have not (36 per cent). They are also more likely to turn to official websites and fact-checking. These active verification behaviours confirm the importance of news literacy education in helping Australian consumers navigate the complex online environment. Combined, this year's data provides a strong signal to policymakers and the news media to educate the public about how the news works, its role in society and how to critically evaluate it. Given concerns about social cohesion in Australia, and the rise of more populist approaches to politics, there is a growing need for citizens to be equipped with news literacy education. With half of people who pay for news saying they have received some kind of news literacy training, increasing media literacy levels across the population also makes good economic sense for the news industry. Digital News Report: Australia is produced by the News and Media Research Centre (N&MRC) at the University of Canberra. YouGov conducted the survey in January-February 2025. The data are weighted for age, gender and region. Education and political quotas were applied. In Australia, this is the eleventh annual survey of its kind produced by the N&MRC. How you are reading this sentence - whether from a social media link or directly on a news website - may determine how much you trust it. According to an annual global study of news habits, it is most likely the former. Social media as Australians' main source of news has increased to 26 per cent and has overtaken online news sites (23 per cent) for the first time. Meanwhile, the number of readers who say they no longer trust news reporting has risen to 32 per cent (up 8 per cent since 2016). These figures come from the Digital News Report: Australia 2025 conducted by the News and Media Research Centre at the University of Canberra surveyed 2006 adults. It is part of a global annual survey of digital news consumption in 48 countries, commissioned by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford. The Report paints a picture of growing distrust in mainstream news and the perception of a polluted online information environment where people find it hard to discern facts from fake news. Worryingly, of the 48 countries surveyed, Australians have the highest level of concern about what is real or fake online, with three-quarters saying they are worried about it. This is especially true of social media where Australians see Facebook (59 per cent) and TikTok (57 per cent) as the two social media platforms posing the biggest threat of spreading misinformation. Facebook is still the most visited social media site for news (38 per cent) but other video-based platforms are gaining popularity with almost one-third of consumers saying they use YouTube and one-in-five using Instagram for news. TikTok is the fastest-growing social media platform for news at 14 per cent which is up 12 per cent since 2020, particularly among younger generations. The growing use of social media and the decline in trust is accompanied by a loss of interest in news, and growing news avoidance. Over the past decade, there has been a significant drop in news interest, particularly among women and those aged 35+. More than two-thirds (69 per cent) of Australians say they often, sometimes or occasionally avoid the news. The reasons given range from the negative impact it has on their mood (46 per cent), perceptions of untrustworthiness or bias (37 per cent), and news fatigue (32 per cent). Trust is also an important factor that correlates with people's decision to avoid news. Consumers who trust the news are much less likely to say they avoid it (60 per cent) than those who distrust the news (79 per cent). People who are concerned about misinformation are also much more likely to say they avoid news (71 per cent) compared to those who are not worried about it (53 per cent). This implies that the environment in which news is situated has an impact on audiences' attitudes toward it. While they may not necessarily see misinformation on news platforms, the sheer volume of information online and concerns about false information can lead people to withdraw from news consumption. How can news organisations re-engage audiences who are losing faith in news? While much of the data reflects the decline of mainstream news consumption, it also points to possible remedies for these downward trends. In this year's survey, we asked if respondents had received any type of education or training - formal or informal - about how to use the news. News literacy is a sub-concept of media literacy and refers to the skills that help audiences have control over their relationship with news, alongside knowing how news is produced and distributed. News literacy education aims to develop a critical understanding of news, and how to analyse and assess the quality of sources. In Australia, there are few news literacy programs. However, broader media literacy education has been conducted in primary schools since 2012 after the Australian Curriculum, Assessment, and Reporting Authority identified it as a mandatory learning objective. But, for adults and vulnerable social groups, there is not much on offer. The majority of participants (70 per cent) in our survey say they have not had any news literacy education or training. There is a big generational gap. Only 5 per cent of participants aged 65 or older say they have received any kind of education about the news over their lifetime, compared to more than half of 18-24-year-olds. Notable differences are also found between men (29 per cent) and women (19 per cent), city (26 per cent) and regional participants (19 per cent). More importantly, there are critical differences in the attitudes and behaviours between Australian consumers who have received news literacy education and those who have not. Not only are people with news education more likely to pay for news, they are also more interested in news and less likely to avoid it. While they are more likely to be concerned about misinformation, their knowledge of how things work in an online environment means people with news literacy are not deterred by this because they feel more confident in their ability to discern misinformation. When it comes to checking online information that may be false, misleading, or fake, people who have received news literacy education are much more likely to say they go to news sources they trust (50 per cent) compared to those who have not (36 per cent). They are also more likely to turn to official websites and fact-checking. These active verification behaviours confirm the importance of news literacy education in helping Australian consumers navigate the complex online environment. Combined, this year's data provides a strong signal to policymakers and the news media to educate the public about how the news works, its role in society and how to critically evaluate it. Given concerns about social cohesion in Australia, and the rise of more populist approaches to politics, there is a growing need for citizens to be equipped with news literacy education. With half of people who pay for news saying they have received some kind of news literacy training, increasing media literacy levels across the population also makes good economic sense for the news industry. Digital News Report: Australia is produced by the News and Media Research Centre (N&MRC) at the University of Canberra. YouGov conducted the survey in January-February 2025. The data are weighted for age, gender and region. Education and political quotas were applied. In Australia, this is the eleventh annual survey of its kind produced by the N&MRC.
The Advertiser
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Australia, how are you feeling in 2025? It's time for your annual check-up
What do you enjoy most about where you live? What issues are of most concern to you and your community in 2025? What helps you stay connected to what's going on? Do you shop locally to support local business? These are some of the questions we're asking Australians in our fourth annual Heartbeat of Australia survey, a special collaboration between Australia's largest independent media company ACM - the publisher of this masthead - and the University of Canberra's News and Media Research Centre. The online survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. It is confidential and individual responses are not identifiable. Survey participants can go into a draw to win one of five $500 e-gift cards. TAKE THE HEARTBEAT SURVEY ACM chief marketing officer Jarrah Petzold said the Heartbeat survey aimed to capture the sentiment of Australians in 2025, especially those living in regional towns and rural communities. "ACM is the only major news organisation that prioritises giving a voice to Australians living outside the state capitals," Mr Petzold said. "Our Heartbeat of Australia survey each year explores consumer sentiment, including how people are feeling about the future, their concerns, their plans for the next 12 months and how they stay informed and connected to what's going on in their community. "Australians are facing global uncertainty and continuing cost-of-living pressures and our Heartbeat research seeks to understand how we are all feeling about life in our local communities, especially young people and those living in the regions." Professor Sora Park, of the News and Media Research Centre, said the Heartbeat survey aimed to deepen the centre's understanding of regional Australians and the role that trusted local news sources play in their lives and the wellbeing of their community. "Our previous Heartbeat surveys in partnership with ACM have given us valuable insights into how people keep up with what's going on in their local community and the connection between access to information and community wellbeing," Professor Park said. "The annual findings from Heartbeat enhance the News and Media Research Centre's ongoing studies on how and why Australians access news." The News and Media Research Centre is Australia's only research centre specialising in news consumption, social and digital media networks, and the legal, ethical and social impact of communication technologies. The centre produces the annual national Digital News Report: Australia, which monitors news consumption as part of a global study of more than 40 countries. To participate in the 2025 Heart of Australia survey simply scan the code above on this page or visit What do you enjoy most about where you live? What issues are of most concern to you and your community in 2025? What helps you stay connected to what's going on? Do you shop locally to support local business? These are some of the questions we're asking Australians in our fourth annual Heartbeat of Australia survey, a special collaboration between Australia's largest independent media company ACM - the publisher of this masthead - and the University of Canberra's News and Media Research Centre. The online survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. It is confidential and individual responses are not identifiable. Survey participants can go into a draw to win one of five $500 e-gift cards. TAKE THE HEARTBEAT SURVEY ACM chief marketing officer Jarrah Petzold said the Heartbeat survey aimed to capture the sentiment of Australians in 2025, especially those living in regional towns and rural communities. "ACM is the only major news organisation that prioritises giving a voice to Australians living outside the state capitals," Mr Petzold said. "Our Heartbeat of Australia survey each year explores consumer sentiment, including how people are feeling about the future, their concerns, their plans for the next 12 months and how they stay informed and connected to what's going on in their community. "Australians are facing global uncertainty and continuing cost-of-living pressures and our Heartbeat research seeks to understand how we are all feeling about life in our local communities, especially young people and those living in the regions." Professor Sora Park, of the News and Media Research Centre, said the Heartbeat survey aimed to deepen the centre's understanding of regional Australians and the role that trusted local news sources play in their lives and the wellbeing of their community. "Our previous Heartbeat surveys in partnership with ACM have given us valuable insights into how people keep up with what's going on in their local community and the connection between access to information and community wellbeing," Professor Park said. "The annual findings from Heartbeat enhance the News and Media Research Centre's ongoing studies on how and why Australians access news." The News and Media Research Centre is Australia's only research centre specialising in news consumption, social and digital media networks, and the legal, ethical and social impact of communication technologies. The centre produces the annual national Digital News Report: Australia, which monitors news consumption as part of a global study of more than 40 countries. To participate in the 2025 Heart of Australia survey simply scan the code above on this page or visit What do you enjoy most about where you live? What issues are of most concern to you and your community in 2025? What helps you stay connected to what's going on? Do you shop locally to support local business? These are some of the questions we're asking Australians in our fourth annual Heartbeat of Australia survey, a special collaboration between Australia's largest independent media company ACM - the publisher of this masthead - and the University of Canberra's News and Media Research Centre. The online survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. It is confidential and individual responses are not identifiable. Survey participants can go into a draw to win one of five $500 e-gift cards. TAKE THE HEARTBEAT SURVEY ACM chief marketing officer Jarrah Petzold said the Heartbeat survey aimed to capture the sentiment of Australians in 2025, especially those living in regional towns and rural communities. "ACM is the only major news organisation that prioritises giving a voice to Australians living outside the state capitals," Mr Petzold said. "Our Heartbeat of Australia survey each year explores consumer sentiment, including how people are feeling about the future, their concerns, their plans for the next 12 months and how they stay informed and connected to what's going on in their community. "Australians are facing global uncertainty and continuing cost-of-living pressures and our Heartbeat research seeks to understand how we are all feeling about life in our local communities, especially young people and those living in the regions." Professor Sora Park, of the News and Media Research Centre, said the Heartbeat survey aimed to deepen the centre's understanding of regional Australians and the role that trusted local news sources play in their lives and the wellbeing of their community. "Our previous Heartbeat surveys in partnership with ACM have given us valuable insights into how people keep up with what's going on in their local community and the connection between access to information and community wellbeing," Professor Park said. "The annual findings from Heartbeat enhance the News and Media Research Centre's ongoing studies on how and why Australians access news." The News and Media Research Centre is Australia's only research centre specialising in news consumption, social and digital media networks, and the legal, ethical and social impact of communication technologies. The centre produces the annual national Digital News Report: Australia, which monitors news consumption as part of a global study of more than 40 countries. To participate in the 2025 Heart of Australia survey simply scan the code above on this page or visit What do you enjoy most about where you live? What issues are of most concern to you and your community in 2025? What helps you stay connected to what's going on? Do you shop locally to support local business? These are some of the questions we're asking Australians in our fourth annual Heartbeat of Australia survey, a special collaboration between Australia's largest independent media company ACM - the publisher of this masthead - and the University of Canberra's News and Media Research Centre. The online survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. It is confidential and individual responses are not identifiable. Survey participants can go into a draw to win one of five $500 e-gift cards. TAKE THE HEARTBEAT SURVEY ACM chief marketing officer Jarrah Petzold said the Heartbeat survey aimed to capture the sentiment of Australians in 2025, especially those living in regional towns and rural communities. "ACM is the only major news organisation that prioritises giving a voice to Australians living outside the state capitals," Mr Petzold said. "Our Heartbeat of Australia survey each year explores consumer sentiment, including how people are feeling about the future, their concerns, their plans for the next 12 months and how they stay informed and connected to what's going on in their community. "Australians are facing global uncertainty and continuing cost-of-living pressures and our Heartbeat research seeks to understand how we are all feeling about life in our local communities, especially young people and those living in the regions." Professor Sora Park, of the News and Media Research Centre, said the Heartbeat survey aimed to deepen the centre's understanding of regional Australians and the role that trusted local news sources play in their lives and the wellbeing of their community. "Our previous Heartbeat surveys in partnership with ACM have given us valuable insights into how people keep up with what's going on in their local community and the connection between access to information and community wellbeing," Professor Park said. "The annual findings from Heartbeat enhance the News and Media Research Centre's ongoing studies on how and why Australians access news." The News and Media Research Centre is Australia's only research centre specialising in news consumption, social and digital media networks, and the legal, ethical and social impact of communication technologies. The centre produces the annual national Digital News Report: Australia, which monitors news consumption as part of a global study of more than 40 countries. To participate in the 2025 Heart of Australia survey simply scan the code above on this page or visit
