Almost half of Australians aged 18 to 24 now use TikTok as a source of news, according to the 2026 Digital News Report, which highlights a continued decline in traditional media such as television, radio, and newspapers.
Young Australians Abandon Traditional News Sources
The report, produced by the News and Media Research Centre at the University of Canberra, reveals that the majority of Australian adults under 25 have never used newspapers or radio for news. Specifically, 60% of 18-to-24-year-olds have never accessed newspapers, while 53% have never used radio. Television has never been a source of news for 25% of this age group.
Overall, 40% of all Australians who previously relied on newspapers and radio have stopped using these platforms. The long-term shift away from traditional media continues, with television remaining the primary news source for 57% of Australians, followed closely by social media (56%) and online news (52%).
Rise of TikTok and Social Media
Social media platforms, including Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram, are increasingly becoming main news sources. Among 18-to-24-year-olds, 48% use TikTok for news, a 12-point increase from 2024. Creators and influencers play a growing role in interpreting news for their followers.
Interest in news among young people has risen sharply. After years of decline, 47% of 18-to-24-year-olds now express interest in news, up 12 points since 2024. For the first time, political interest among those under 35 exceeds that of older cohorts.
Public Service Media and Trust
The report finds that almost half of news consumers believe public service broadcasters like the ABC and SBS have a positive effect on Australian life. However, 39% of right-leaning consumers view public service media negatively. Younger Australians (68% of 25-to-34-year-olds) are far more positive than older generations (34% of 55-to-64-year-olds).
Trust in news globally has fallen to 37%, the lowest level since 2015. In the United States, only 25% trust most news, with a five-point drop from 2025. Trust among right-leaning Americans is even lower at 15%. Major news brands like CBS News and Fox News saw 10-point drops in trust year-on-year.
New Frontiers: AI Chatbots
Generative AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT and Gemini, are emerging as news sources, with nearly 10% of Australians using them to access news and ask follow-up questions. The Australian study is part of a larger international survey by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, covering nearly 100,000 online news consumers across 48 markets.
Despite political polarisation, 49% of Australians prefer news from sources that do not take a particular point of view. Only 17% favour news aligning with their own views, while an equal number seek out challenging perspectives.
