Regional newspapers have been challenged for more than a decade by loss of revenue, loss of talent and rising costs that have forced many to permanently close their doors. The recommendations made in this report are an important starting point to address the ongoing viability of regional newspapers.

This study examines how and where Australians are getting information about COVID-19, which sources they find trustworthy and their experiences with misinformation. The report extends the understanding around the access, consumption and critical engagement with news and misinformation during the ongoing global pandemic.

Through case study examples, this report provides an understanding about how First Nations media organisations operated during the early days of Australia’s COVID-19 pandemic.

The News and Media Research Centre at the University of Canberra hosted the 'News futures: research and policy roundtable', on 3rd September 2021. This report highlights key themes that emerged from the discussion and provides numerous examples of research priorities that require attention.

Information industries have lost some 60,000 jobs in Australia in the last 15 years, almost half during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research report highlights the need for active policy supports to stabilise the media industry and protect the public good function of quality journalism.