Report finds Australians consume less news, from fewer sources than 38 other countries
Australians are the lightest consumers of news out of 38 countries, and consume news from less sources, according to a new digital news report.
The University of Canberra Digital News Report: Australia 2019 shows that out of the 38 countries surveyed, Australia has the highest number of ‘light’ news consumers who access news once a day or less.
48% of Australians surveyed identified as light news consumers, far higher than the survey average of 34%. Speaking on a panel at the launch event for the survey, ABC news director Gaven Morris said he believes this is because Australian media over-reports on politics, which has caused consumers to disengage.
There are, of course, other reasons … for example, when I was trained (by the ABC) it was drummed into us that “the adjective is the enemy of good journalism”. Now, if you accept that doctrine, there’s precious little “good journalism” anywhere these days because those people who call themselves “journalists” seem to get the erroneous impression that the public want to know their opinion about everything rather than just reporting the facts. An example of this was from “journalist and media academic Dr Joce Nettlefold” at a recent ABC/University love-in when she said “Journalists … role is being expanded to include much-needed guidance to audiences”. Sorry, I don’t actually need some fresh-out-of-uni kid with a microphone to provide me with “guidance” and I expect there are many others who feel the same. So almost fifty years after first starting on the ABC 7pm News, I’ve now stopped watching it altogether – and I’m not alone in that.
Firstly, let me say that news is an expensive commodity to produce, especially at a time when media company revenues have fallen off the proverbial cliff. Secondly, it it has to be difficult to be at all objective and fearless when Government is the biggest advertiser in the land. This is especially relevant when it comes to interviewing politicians or investigating political stories.
The revenue picture is further skewed by Clive Palmer’s recent ‘donation’ to commercial media. Add to the mix, the advertising budgets of political parties and assorted pressure groups. Who, (apart from the ABC), wouldn’t want a share of that motza? Political ‘interviews’ on news broadcasts are rarely worth watching, the interviewee refuses to answer the question whilst the interviewer chooses not to ask the difficult questions.
The answer could be a ban on political advertising by political parties, as in the UK and other countries. Under this scenario there would be no need for political “donations” and no need for the potential quid pro quo. There is little doubt that public mistrust of politicians and government policies is directly related to political donations, real or imagined.
Adding to the woes of TV news is the amount of so-called ‘sport’ coverage. On the 7 o’clock ABC News, out of 30 minutes airtime, roughly 20% is sports news! Aside from the gamblers and the athletes families, who is really interested? I have no problem with dedicated sports programmes for the interested viewer, but to refer to sport as ‘news’ is a bit rich.
Why not more international news items to more widely represent Australians varied backgrounds? Not long pieces. but shorter items which encourage the viewer to go online and find out more detail if they are interested. A sort of click-bait.