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Scoop
a day ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Why Has Trust In News Fallen? The Answer Is More Complicated Than We Thought
We live in an age of declining trust in public institutions: parliament, the health and education systems, courts and police have all suffered over the past decade, both in New Zealand and internationally. And, of course, trust in the news has declined precipitously, according to regular surveys, including our own research. So, it might be tempting to roll declining trust in news media into this wider decline of trust in public institutions in general. But this is where our research disagrees. News isn't just another institution like the state, a corporation or a non-profit organisation. Ideally, it's the democratic expression of the public interest in these things. An institutional approach may help us explore the structural issues democracies face (for example, critiquing the nature of media ownership). But it also generalises, and risks obscuring the specifics of the trust problem public interest journalism faces. Nor does it recognise the distinctiveness of the ' social contract of the press ' – the necessary bond of trust between journalism and its audiences, which is key to the success of the wider social contract between the public and its institutions. News is out of sync Our research shows trust in news has plummeted from 58% of New Zealanders agreeing they can trust 'most of the news most of the time' in 2020, to just 32% in 2025. Survey respondents tell us they perceive the news to be politically biased (both left and right), and because too much seems to be opinion masquerading as news. These seemed very different from the trust issues faced by government, business and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Declining trust in those institutions has been driven more by wars, financial crises, the rise of populism and the COVID pandemic. To differentiate journalism's trust issues, we explored whether falling trust in news was (or wasn't) linked to declines in trust in other social institutions. We looked at research from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism and the global Edelman Trust Barometer, as well as our own research. We found the trajectories of trust levels for other social institutions – governments, business, NGOs – showed clear links to each other as they rose and fell, more or less in sync, over time. Trust in news, however, has been in its own lane, perhaps influenced by the others, but clearly not tethered to them. A fall in trust in government and politics, in other words, is not a predictor of a fall in trust in news. Global levels of trust Globally, we found trust in government, business and NGOs fell and then rose, roughly together, from 2020 to 2024. While not tracking each other exactly, there's a clear grouping of data points. From 2020, trust in all of them (including media in general – television, internet, radio and movies) fell rapidly and levelled out in 2021 before rising again slightly by 2024. Trust in news itself, however, behaved in almost exactly opposite ways, rising from 2020 to 2021 before falling again and levelling out in 2023. Given its impact, the global pandemic is likely a cause for these changes in 2020. However, as trust in government fell, news media – to which the public has historically turned in a crisis – actually rose. Trust levels in Aotearoa New Zealand In Aotearoa New Zealand, things were very different. While it fell globally, trust in institutions in New Zealand rose from 2020, before falling in 2022. Trust in news, however, was not rising in the early days of the pandemic as it was elsewhere. It was falling. And it continued to fall steadily until 2023. (In 2024, it would fall even more dramatically, but that data was not captured by this study.) Both sets of data – global and local – show trust in news doing largely the opposite of what trust in government and other institutions has been doing, rising when they were falling and vice versa. When journalism does its job well and exposes failings in government, we would indeed expect one to rise and the other to fall. So, we can see there may well be links between changes in levels of trust. But we can also see trust levels are not responding in unison to external sociopolitical pressures. In focus groups, we explored if there were connections between trust in news and trust in government. Older New Zealanders who didn't trust the news told us there were institutions they mistrusted: banks, insurance companies and universities, some to very high levels, and mostly born from personal experience. But they did not particularly mistrust government as an institution. And we found no direct link between their mistrust of news and their mistrust of other social institutions. Which supports the evidence we found in the global and local trust data trends. It seems the trust problems democracies have with their news services need to be addressed on their own terms, not as part of an overall picture.
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.
Indian Express
20-06-2025
- Indian Express
‘They annoyed me so I turned them off': Why phone users are turning off news alerts
For many people, a mobile notification announces the latest in the world — from sports to politics and everything in between. But new research is showing what many already believe: an average user gets too many alerts. The sheer scale of 'alert fatigue' is pushing people to actively turn off news alerts, spooked by the grim nature of news or the misleading nature of some push notifications. The research also showed mobile notifications from aggregators, often powered by artificial intelligence, are now one of the main ways one receives breaking news. Mobile-majority countries in Africa and Asia, such as Kenya and India, lead the way. As users face an avalanche of news updates whenever they log on to their social media accounts, many are simply trying to actively avoid news. A large majority (79 per cent) of phone users have either actively disabled news alerts or never received them because 'they say they get too many or they are not relevant to their lives,' according to the Digital News Report 2025 from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism. One respondent said news alerts 'annoyed me, so I turned them off', while others were more concerned about the depressing nature of the news being pushed. 'I turned off all my news apps and sites after (US President Donald) Trump was elected', says one liberal respondent from the United States, according to the report. Another said they 'switched off notifications again because it's emotionally distressing'. Researchers studying the data found a link: those who say they 'often avoid' the news are less likely to sign up in the first place and more likely to disable them later. It wasn't always about the sheer scale of round-the-clock global developments. Respondents also found alerts got on their nerves in some other ways. 'Sometimes the headlines are misleading when you select the article. Sometimes you have to pay to view the content, especially on Apple News,' said one UK respondent. While news organisations continued to depend on push notifications and newsletters to deeply engage with users who have already signed up, people continued to depend on search (45 per cent weekly use) and social media (43 per cent) for finding the news content of their choice.
Mint
20-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
AI tracker: Turning to chatbots for news updates
A recent survey reveals a growing trend of people using AI chatbots like ChatGPT for news updates, especially among younger demographics. The report highlights the increasing integration of AI in everyday information gathering, while also showcasing advancements in AI-driven personal shopping with the launch of Alta's innovative stylist app. People are increasingly turning to generative AI chatbots like ChatGPT to follow day-to-day news, a recent media report has found. The yearly survey from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism found 'for the first time' that significant numbers of people were using chatbots to get headlines and updates. Seven percent of people report using AI to find news, according to the Institute's poll of 97,000 people in 48 countries carried out by YouGov, but the proportion is higher among the young, at 12% of under-35s and 15% under-25s. Many more used AI to summarise (27%), translate (24%) or recommend (21%) articles, while almost one in five asked questions about current events. AI fashion stylist New york based fashion tech startup Alta announced that it has raised $11 million in seed funding to build 'the next generation of personal shopping and styling' powered by AI. Alta's core product is an AI stylist/personal shopper that creates shopping and outfit recommendations based on a user's closet, lifestyle, budget, occasion, and weather. The app leverages over a dozen proprietary multimodal generative AI models trained on fashion data, a press release from the company said. Users can also try recommended outfits on their virtual avatar—including mixing and matching shoppable items with items from their own closets.
