Australia’s media sector is undergoing significant structural change as digital platforms continue to reshape how news is produced, distributed, and consumed, according to the newly released News Media in Australia 2025 report.
The report, prepared by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), highlights the pressures facing the nation’s news industry, including declining revenues, job losses in journalism, and the growing influence of global technology platforms.
It notes a steady contraction in journalism employment over the past decade, describing the reduction in the number of journalists as a clear indicator of industry disruption.
The report also outlines how audience behaviour is rapidly evolving. Australians are increasingly consuming news on mobile devices and through social media rather than traditional print or broadcast outlets. Younger demographics are more likely to rely on social media as their main gateway to news, shifting audience attention away from conventional news organisations.
This reliance on digital intermediaries presents challenges for both trust and diversity in the media environment. Trust in news overall is declining, with particularly low confidence in news accessed via social media. The report suggests that algorithm-driven news feeds risk narrowing exposure to a diverse range of perspectives.
To better understand these shifts, ACMA has developed a Media Diversity Measurement Framework designed to track the range of voices in the Australian media. The framework measures key indicators such as the number of independent news providers, audience reach, and levels of public trust. It aims to provide a stronger evidence base for policymakers in responding to ongoing industry challenges.
Despite the pressures, the report points to signs of resilience, with publishers pursuing new revenue models through subscriptions, philanthropy, and partnerships. Others are experimenting with digital storytelling formats, although the long-term sustainability of these approaches remains uncertain.
The News Media in Australia 2025 report concludes that the future of Australian news media will depend on how effectively the sector, government, and the community adapt to technological disruption and changing consumption patterns.