University of Canberra Prepares Landmark Launch of Digital News Report Australia 2026
The News and Media Research Centre at the University of Canberra is finalising preparations for the launch of the Digital News Report Australia 2026. Scheduled for 16 June, the event will bring together academics, media professionals, policymakers and industry leaders to examine evolving patterns of news consumption across the country.
This twelfth annual edition continues a long-running collaboration with the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford. The Australian component is led by the University of Canberra team, providing nationally representative data that tracks audience attitudes toward trust, social media, artificial intelligence and local journalism.
Background on the News and Media Research Centre
Established within the Faculty of Arts and Design, the News and Media Research Centre has become a key hub for media and journalism scholarship in Australia. Researchers at the centre conduct longitudinal studies that inform both academic debate and practical decision-making in newsrooms and government.
The centre’s work extends beyond the annual Digital News Report. It also delivers custom briefings for media organisations and contributes to national conversations on media literacy and misinformation. Staff regularly publish in peer-reviewed journals and collaborate with international partners on comparative projects.
The Global Digital News Report Framework
The Australian report forms part of a wider international survey coordinated by the Reuters Institute. In 2025 the global study covered 47 markets across six continents, allowing Australian findings to be placed in comparative context. The methodology relies on large-scale online panels conducted by YouGov, ensuring consistency year after year.
Key themes explored include the shift toward social media as a primary news source, the emergence of AI chatbots, concerns about misinformation and the continuing importance of public-service broadcasting. Australian data have consistently shown high reliance on television alongside rapid growth in digital platforms.
Launch Details and Format
The 2026 launch will take place on Tuesday 16 June. An in-person session runs from 8:00 am to 10:00 am AEST at Google Sydney in Pyrmont, followed by an online component from 9:00 am to 10:00 am AEST. Registration is open for both formats, with the hybrid model designed to maximise accessibility for regional academics and practitioners.
University of Canberra staff will present headline findings before a panel discussion featuring media executives and researchers. The event is expected to attract significant interest from higher-education institutions offering journalism and media studies programs.
Photo by Eriksson Luo on Unsplash
Relevance to Australian Higher Education
The report directly supports teaching and research in media, communication and journalism faculties nationwide. Universities use the data to update curricula, design industry placements and guide postgraduate research projects. The findings also inform discussions about graduate employability in a rapidly changing media landscape.
Academic staff at institutions such as the University of Sydney, Monash University and Queensland University of Technology regularly reference previous editions when examining trust in news and the impact of platform algorithms. The 2026 edition will provide fresh evidence for these ongoing scholarly conversations.
Research Capacity and Staffing Implications
Producing the Digital News Report requires sustained investment in survey design, data analysis and stakeholder engagement. The News and Media Research Centre employs a team of researchers, data analysts and communications specialists. Expansion of the centre’s workload has created opportunities for postdoctoral fellows and casual research assistants.
Higher-education leaders note that projects of this scale strengthen a university’s research profile and attract competitive funding. The centre’s track record positions the University of Canberra as a preferred partner for both domestic and international media studies collaborations.
Student and Early-Career Researcher Opportunities
PhD candidates and honours students in media and communication frequently draw on the report’s datasets for thesis work. The centre has hosted research internships that allow students to gain experience in survey methodology and policy analysis.
Early-career academics benefit from the visibility that comes with contributing to such a high-profile publication. Several former research assistants have gone on to secure lectureships or roles in media policy organisations.
Policy and Industry Impact
Government agencies and media regulators use the findings to shape responses to misinformation and to support media literacy initiatives. News organisations analyse audience trends to refine content strategies and digital subscription models.
The report’s emphasis on local news consumption has influenced debates about regional media sustainability, a topic of particular interest to regional universities and their journalism programs.
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Future Outlook for Media Research in Australia
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape news production and distribution, the 2026 report is expected to devote significant attention to audience attitudes toward AI-generated content. Researchers anticipate new questions about algorithmic transparency and the role of human editors.
The University of Canberra team is already planning extensions of the study, including deeper qualitative work with regional audiences and longitudinal tracking of younger cohorts. These developments will create additional research opportunities for Australian academics.
Engagement and Access
Following the launch, the full report will be available on the University of Canberra website. The centre also offers tailored briefings for university departments seeking to integrate the findings into teaching or research planning.
Academics interested in collaboration are encouraged to contact the News and Media Research Centre directly. The centre maintains an active program of public events and welcomes proposals from other higher-education institutions.
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