This report explores the gap between academic research and industry needs in the news media. It shares insights from a roundtable where media stakeholders identified key challenges and research priorities to strengthen collaboration and better align research with newsroom realities and long-term sustainability.

Newsrooms have rapidly adapted to digital distribution, platform disruption and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Yet academic research, while deeply engaged with these issues, can lag behind industry developments and may not always align with newsroom priorities. These gaps highlight the need for a stronger, sustained feedback loop between media and academia. Ongoing collaboration enables researchers to anticipate emerging challenges and deliver insights that directly support the sector’s evolving needs. 

Key challenges

• Insufficient time and organisational resourcing to support innovation and experimentation.
• Difficulties in implementing sustainable digital business models.
• Challenges associated with the training of staff.
• Lack of compensation from AI companies.
• Internal difficulties in responding to AI’s rapid pace.
• Algorithms and the power of big tech.
• Shifting news audience behaviours and attitudes.
• Trust and media literacy issues.
• Concerns about competition and lack of government support.

How researchers can support the news sector

• Conduct whole-sector studies of the viability of different digital business models.
• Undertake research on how and in which ways government advertising is supporting Australian journalism.
• Research the news needs of local and regional communities.
• Assess the impact and quality needs of influencers.
• Carry out more research on Australian AI literacy.