Media Files: Australians' trust in news media is falling as concern over 'fake news' grows

The report found that Australian news consumers access news less often and have lower interest in it compared to citizens in many other countries. ShutterstockOn today’s episode, we hear from Caroline Fisher, an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Canberra and lead author of the 2019 Australian edition of the the Digital News Report.
The annual report has found that public trust in the news media is falling. It also finds that Australians are worried about “fake news”. Perhaps as a result, we access news less often and have lower interest in it compared to citizens in many other countries. Yet, when it comes to keeping us up to date, we think the news media passes the test.
It’s the fifth year of the report, which comes from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University. There are 38 countries involved and it’s an annual snapshot of media: how they’re using it and what they think of it.
You can hear the full interview and details of the report here on Media Files.

Read more: Australians are less interested in news and consume less of it compared to other countries, survey finds

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Additional credits Producer: Andy Hazel.
Theme music: Susie Wilkins.
Image Shutterstock
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.