The University of Canberra’s News and Media Research Centre (N&MRC) has released its Digital News Report: Australia 2026, revealing a massive generational shift in how Australians consume, understand, and pay for news, heavily driven by audiences under 35.
The Death of Traditional Media for Gen Z
Younger Australians are highly engaged with news and politics, but they are completely bypassing legacy channels. The report highlights that 60% of Australians aged 18 to 24 have never used print newspapers, 53% have never listened to radio news, and 25% have never turned on the TV for news. Instead, 48% of this demographic relies on TikTok, turning to independent creators and influencers who they find more entertaining (59%), relatable (55%), and easier to understand (56%).
Younger Demographics are Willing to Pay
Despite ongoing economic pressures, under-35s use more news sources than older Australians and are far more likely to pay for them. While only 16% of those aged 65 and over pay for news, 27% of 18-to-24-year-olds and 41% of 25-to-34-year-olds do. Furthermore, younger audiences view news as a social good: 30% of under-35s pay for news specifically so others can access it for free, compared to just 15% of older generations.
The Rise of Generative AI and the Trust Gap
Generative AI (Gen AI) is securing a permanent spot in the news ecosystem. Nearly one in ten Australians (9%) now use AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity for news—a figure that climbs to 16% for under-25s. Audiences use these tools primarily to follow up on stories (49%), summarize data, and simplify complex issues.
However, credibility remains a major hurdle. Trust in news via AI chatbots sits at a low 19%, with 49% explicitly distrusting it. This skepticism coincides with an overall rise in online misinformation anxiety, with 77% of Australians worried about what is real or fake on the internet.
Social Media as the Primary Gateway
For the first time, social media has officially overtaken direct visits to news websites as the primary pathway to online news (32% vs 31%). Social media is now the second most-used news source overall (56%), sitting just behind television (57%) and ahead of dedicated news apps and sites (52%).
"Young Australians are not disengaged from news - they are reshaping how news is accessed, consumed, and understood," said Professor Sora Park, lead author of the report and Director of the N&MRC. "We are seeing a generational shift away from fixed routines and traditional platforms towards more fluid, platform-driven, and personalised news habits."
Other Notable 2026 Statistics:
• Overall Interest & Consumption: General news interest has risen to 57%, and consumption has jumped to 56% since 2023.
• Perceived Bias: 77% of Australians believe media owners influence coverage, while 75% point to government influence, and 70% blame advertisers—all higher than global averages.
• General Trust: Overall trust in news remains steady at 43%, though trust in the specific brands people actually use has jumped 5 percentage points to 54%.
• News Avoidance: 68% of Australians admit to avoiding the news at least some of the time.
