A new report from the University of Canberra has revealed a growing trend among younger Australians to pay for news, even as concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) and trust in media mount.
Key Findings from the Report
The Digital News Report: Australia 2024, released on Wednesday, shows that 22% of Australians aged 18 to 24 now pay for online news, up from 15% in 2023. This is the highest rate among all age groups and marks a significant shift in news consumption habits.
Overall, 19% of Australians pay for news, a slight increase from 18% last year. The report, based on a survey of over 2,000 Australians, also found that 72% of respondents are concerned about AI-generated news, with only 12% expressing trust in AI-produced content.
Declining Trust in News Media
Trust in news media overall has declined, with 42% of Australians saying they trust most news most of the time, down from 44% in 2023. The report highlights that younger Australians are more likely to trust news from traditional sources like the ABC and SBS, while trust in social media and online platforms continues to erode.
“Younger Australians are demonstrating a willingness to pay for quality journalism, but they are also increasingly wary of AI-generated content and misinformation,” said Dr. Sora Park, lead author of the report.
Implications for News Industry
The findings come as news organisations grapple with the rise of AI and the challenge of maintaining audience trust. The report suggests that news outlets need to invest in transparency and human oversight to build credibility with younger audiences.
“The decline in trust is a warning sign for the industry,” Dr. Park added. “News organisations must prioritise accuracy and ethical reporting to retain and grow their paying subscriber base.”
Methodology
The Digital News Report: Australia 2024 is based on a nationally representative survey of 2,031 Australian adults conducted in January 2024 by the University of Canberra’s News and Media Research Centre.
