The transparency provided by effective journalism helps ensure accountability. An expansive, competitive news industry operating in the public interest is vital to the proper functioning of Australian democracy. However, Australia’s news industry is highly concentrated, with 84% of newspaper revenue going to one of four large conglomerates: Nine Entertainment, News Corp, Seven West Media, and Australian Community Media.

Even within this limited market, competition is rare, with ten million Australians living in cites which lack competition between two comparable print media outlets. Outside the big cities, over a quarter of local government areas have no independent local news outlet. Hundreds of news outlets have shut down in the last five years, with the worst impacts being felt in the regions. This has affected independent and smaller conglomerate owned newspapers, but also the biggest four owners, with many titles being moved to online only. 

While some outlets have emerged to replace these gaps, they tend to be less regular and have fewer resources than their predecessors. Australia-wide the newspaper industry is shrinking in its output and diversity and this may have serious consequences for Australian democracy.