Compiled with the help of Sora Park, News and Media Research Centre, University of Canberra.

Australian media have benefited from near-record audiences during the coronavirus pandemic and some of the worst bushfires ever seen. But the financial position remains difficult following a series of takeovers, closures, job losses, and changes at the national public broadcaster.

Top Brands

Changing Media

TV news remains strong and steady and continues to be a significant source of news, especially for the COVID-19 and bushfire crises, while newspapers continue to fall, and social media stagnate. Online, increasing numbers of Australians are using their mobile phones to access news, widening the gap between mobiles and computers.

Trust

This year’s findings need to be seen through the prism of the bushfire crisis that was ongoing when this survey was taken. Trust in news and trust in news I use dropped over the past 12 months and the number of people who say they do not trust the news also rose. The fall is bigger among people who rely mainly on traditional news compared to those who rely mainly on online news.