Trust in news coverage has risen throughout the coronavirus pandemic and three quarters of Australians would miss local offerings, a report has found.
A survey of 2000 adults found 62 per cent believed independent journalism was important for society to function properly and more than 75 per cent valued regional reporting.
Trust in news grew throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to 53 per cent, however despite news consumption increasing, interest has fallen.
The Digital News Report: Australia 2020by the University of Canberra's News and Media Research Centre also found 14 per cent of those surveyed paid for online news but more were subscribing over making one-off donations. Television bulletins remained the most popular way to consume news but this was declining.
Lead author associate professor Sora Park said local newspapers were the main source of information for almost half of regional news consumers, particularly the elderly.
"While many of these communities can access regional TV news and radio services, in-depth coverage of issues in their area will disappear leaving a big social, democratic and economic gap," she said.
Dr Park said people who used social media to stay informed were more likely to want news that confirmed their world view than traditional media users.
The survey found 19 per cent wanted news to support their opinion and 13 per cent wanted news to challenge it.
Dr Park said it raised concerns about social media being an echo chamber, allowing users to select information that suited their point of view.
She said ideals of independence and impartiality in journalism were being challenged as clickbait and opinion pieces became more prevalent.
