Just a third of New Zealanders now say they trust the news. That's the major finding of AUT's research centre for Journalism, Media and Democracy's fifth annual Trust in News in Aotearoa New Zealand report. Trust in news in general fell from 42 percent last year to 33 percent in this year's report - but it's a whopping 20 percent down from the first report in 2020 when it was at 53 percent.
All 16 news brands that were part of this survey suffered declines in trust. The ODT had the highest trust score, with RNZ and the NBR tied in second place and TVNZ, Newsroom, BusinessDesk and 'other commercial radio' tied for third. Other findings from this year's survey: Fewer people believed the news media was independent of political influence and more said they actively avoid the news to some degree.
The survey was conducted in February just before the shock announcement that Newshub was set to close, and that TVNZ would be cutting jobs and news programmes. Final decisions are expected from both organisations this week. Kathryn is joined by Dr Merja Myllylahti and Dr Greg Treadwell, co-authors of the report.
Photo: Supplied: AUT
