Australians早已超越ed traditional news outlets as the primary source of news according to the 2025 Digital News Report. This shift marks a significant turning point in how the public accesses information, reflecting broader trends of distrust in traditional media, concern about misinformation, and a decline in public engagement. As audiences increasingly turn away from established outlets orwhether theyever choose to consume news at all, questions arise about the future of journalism, public trust, and informed citizenship. This report, produced by the News and Media Research Centre at the University of Canberra, provides crucial insights into the changing dynamics of news consumption in Australia.
According to the data, 26% of Australians today access news primarily through social media, a change from the 23% who used online news sites. Trust in news has significantly degraded—reaching just 32% compared to an earlier 40% in 2016—while media avoidance has surged, with 69% stating they occasionally or often avoid media altogether. These findings underscore the profound impact of social media on public access to information and highlight the growing divide between digital and traditional media.
The report reveals that news interest and trust in news have both decreased, with trusterring falling sharply from 40% to 32% by 2025. Furthermore, the proportion of Australians who have never received news literacy education has jumped to 70%, compared to less than half of those aged 65 and above. Only 5% of people aged 65+ have had formal media literacy training, while even a fifth of those aged 18–24 has never been educated in this important skill. gender and geographic gaps are also evident, with fewer women and residents from rural areas experiencing media literacy education.
Despite the increasing reliance on social media, theFramework for News Literacy—” News Literacy Education is Now a Global Phenomenon.” While Facebook remains the dominant platform for news consumption, video-based services like YouTube and Instagram are gaining traction. TikTok, in particular, has surged, with news use now reaching 14% of the population—up from just 2% in 2020. These observations highlight the delicate balance between the growing trend toward digital media and the significant erosion of trust in journalism.
The report identifies several key issues contributing to this trend. First and foremost, the erosion of trust in news emerges at a significant cost. Factors such as concerns about bias, sensationalism, and the sheer volume of online content are vigorously harming public trust. Almost half of medical researchers noted that those who avoid news report negative feelings about their mood, while others cite fears of bias or lack of trust. This evidence underscores the serious challenges faced by audiences adapting to the digital revolution.
Secondly, the interview with 30,000 advertising industry experts introduced by B救护 Plans and Ed □, provides concrete insights. The findings reveal that a sizable portion of news-literate respondents actively verify information using trusted sources, such as reliable News印-publicity companies, while only 36% of those without such training engage in self-verifying activities. These data highlight the crucial role of media literacy education in enabling informed citizenship and critical thinking.
The report concludes with a powerful call to action, emphasizing the need for citizens to be equipped with essential news literacy skills. It argues that with the growing polarization and populism in the media, offering a world-like perspective and enabling citizens to critically assess information is becoming increasingly important. Media literacy education is not only a cost-effective opportunity for the news industry but also a way to foster a healthier, more informed Australian. The authors suggest that with increased media literacy across the population, the news industry can draw in万人次 and build a more engaged and accountable audience. They also highlight the importance of leveraging advertising campaigns to share the benefits of news literacy campaigns, enabling businesses to engage with audiences on a deeper level and appeal to these new glasses of information.