Crikey

Television remains the main source of international and domestic news and current affairs for Australians, according to the Roy Morgan research released yesterday, although the internet is creeping up.

Some 53.5% of Australians aged over 14 (down 2.5%) say television is their main source for Australian news and current affairs, with that figure rising to 62.5% (down 3.5%) for international news and current affairs.

Newspapers remain the next popular medium, relied upon by 20.5% (down 1.5%) for Australian news and 13.5% (down 3.5%) for international news, and with radio relied upon by 18% for Australian news and 11% for international news.

However, a growing number of Australians are relying upon the internet as their main source of news and current affairs: 9.5% (up 6.5%) for Australian news and 13% (up 8%) for international news.

The net’s growing popularity becomes even more apparent when the results are analysed by age: 15% of 14-17 year olds, 11% of 18-24 year olds, 16% of 25-34 year olds and 11% of 35-49 year olds said the internet was their main source of Australian news and current affairs. This compares to just 6.5% of those aged 50-64 and 1% of the 65+ age group.

Which one media is your main source of information on Australian news and current affairs?

This trend was similar with international news and current affairs. 18% of Australians aged 14-17 named the internet as their main source of international news and current affairs, 23.5% of 18-24 year olds, 19% of 25-34 year olds. This compares to 7.5% of the 50-64 year olds and just 1% of those aged 65+.

Which one media is your main source of information on international news and current affairs?

NineMSN is “clearly the most relied upon website for both Australian and international news and current affairs,” pollster Gary Morgan says. “The ABC is the most relied upon television outlet for domestic and international news. For Australian news and current affairs, Channel 7 has overtaken Channel 9. Channel 7 is relied upon by more people than Channel 9 as an international news and current affairs outlet.”

And while readers are deserting newspapers, one isn’t being washed out with the tide.

“Unlike other major newspapers, the Herald Sun has not declined in popularity with 15.5% — unchanged — of Australians saying they rely upon the paper for Australian news and current affairs and 13% — unchanged — for international news and current affairs,” Morgan says. “All other major newspapers experienced a marginal fall.”