Skip to content
1981
Volume 47, Issue 1
  • ISSN: 0810-2686
  • E-ISSN: 2517-620X

Abstract

Over the past decade, journalism has experienced transformational shifts due to digital disruption, changing business models, fractured media habits and widescale job losses. In Australia, these changes have been particularly profound, with estimates of around half the journalistic workforce having lost their jobs during this period. Given this enormous disruption, it is important to revisit journalists’ demographic profiles and professional views over this tumultuous period. This article reports the results of a representative survey of 371 Australian journalists conducted between 2021 and 2023 and compares them with a similar study from ten years earlier. While there has been a notable demographic shift towards an older workforce, journalistic culture as measured through journalists’ role conceptions and ethical views remains relatively resilient. Overall, the findings demonstrate that while the journalism industry itself has experienced widespread changes, journalists themselves and journalistic culture on the whole may often be slower to change.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1386/ajr_00173_1
2025-02-17
2026-04-16

Metrics

Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. ABS (2022a), ‘Australia’s population by country of birth’, 26 April, https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/population/australias-population-country-birth/latest-release. Accessed 5 October 2023.
  2. ABS (2022b), ‘Census of population and housing: Counts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians’, 31 August, https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples/census-population-and-housing-counts-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-australians/2021. Accessed 5 October 2023.
  3. Barnes, R., Dugmore, H., English, P., Natoli, R. and Stephens, E. (2022), ‘“This is ridiculous – I need to start a paper…”: An exploration of aims and intentions of regional print proprietors of post-COVID start-up newspapers’, Media International Australia, 184:1, pp. 2134.
    [Google Scholar]
  4. Besser, L. (2023), ‘The Voice campaign was infected with disinformation: Who’s in charge of inoculating Australians against lies?’, ABC, 17 October, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-17/voice-referendum-infected-disinformation-australians-lies/102981108. Accessed 20 October 2023.
    [Google Scholar]
  5. Brand, J. and Pearson, M. (2001), ‘The newsroom vs. the lounge room: Journalists’ and audiences’ views on news’, Australian Journalism Review, 23:2, pp. 6389.
    [Google Scholar]
  6. Burrowes, T. (2021), Media Unmade: Australian Media’s Most Disruptive Decade, Melbourne: Hardie Grant Publishing.
    [Google Scholar]
  7. Dawson, N., Molitorisz, S., Rizoiu, M. and Fray, P. (2023), ‘Layoffs, inequity and COVID-19: A longitudinal study of the journalism jobs crisis in Australia from 2012 to 2020’, Journalism, 24:3, pp. 53159.
    [Google Scholar]
  8. Dodd, A. and Ricketson, M. (eds) (2021), Disrupted Lives in Journalism, Sydney: NewSouth Books.
    [Google Scholar]
  9. English, P. (2021), Australian Sports Journalism: Power, Control and Threats, London: Routledge.
    [Google Scholar]
  10. Forde, S. (1997), ‘A descriptive look at the public role of Australian independent alternative press’, Asia Pacific Media Educator, 3, pp. 11830.
    [Google Scholar]
  11. Forde, S. (1999), ‘Journalistic practices and newsroom organisation in the Australian independent and alternative press’, Australian Journalism Review, 21:3, pp. 6079.
    [Google Scholar]
  12. Forde, S. (2005), ‘The changing face of the Australian newsroom: Cultural and ethnic diversity among Sydney journalists’, Australian Journalism Review, 27:2, pp. 11934.
    [Google Scholar]
  13. Gee, M. (2021), ‘Margaret Gee’s Australian media guide’, https://connectweb.com.au/media-guide.aspx. Accessed 3 March 2021.
  14. Hanitzsch, T., Anikina, M., Berganza, R., Cangoz, I., Coman, M., Hamada, B., Hanusch, F., Karadjov, C., Mellado, C., Moreira, S., Mwesige, P., Plaisance, P., Reich, Z., Seethaler, J., Skewes, E., Noor, D. and Yuen, K. (2010), ‘Modeling perceived influences on journalism: Evidence from a cross national survey of journalists’, Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 87:1, pp. 724.
    [Google Scholar]
  15. Hanitzsch, T., Hanusch, F., Ramaprasad, J. and Beer, A. De (eds) (2019), Worlds of Journalism: Journalistic Cultures Around the Globe, New York: Columbia University Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  16. Hanitzsch, T. and Vos, T. (2017), ‘Journalistic roles and the struggle over institutional identity: The discursive constitution of journalism’, Communication Theory, 27:2, pp. 11535.
    [Google Scholar]
  17. Hanusch, F. (2008), ‘Mapping Australian journalism culture: Results from a survey of journalists’ role perceptions’, Australian Journalism Review, 30:2, pp. 97109.
    [Google Scholar]
  18. Hanusch, F. (2012), ‘A profile of Australian travel journalists’ professional views and ethical standards’, Journalism: Theory, Practice & Criticism, 13:5, pp. 66886.
    [Google Scholar]
  19. Hanusch, F. (2013), ‘Journalists in times of change: Evidence from a new survey of Australia’s journalistic workforce’, Australian Journalism Review, 35:1, pp. 2942.
    [Google Scholar]
  20. Hart, B. (1970), ‘The Brisbane journalist’, unpublished BA honours thesis, Brisbane: University of Queensland.
    [Google Scholar]
  21. Henningham, J. (1993), ‘Characteristics and attitudes of Australian journalists’, Electronic Journal of Communication, 4:2, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0313-5926(97)50002-6.
    [Google Scholar]
  22. Henningham, J. (1994), ‘Ethnic differences in journalists’ ethical attitudes’, Asian Journal of Communication, 4:1, pp. 111.
    [Google Scholar]
  23. Henningham, J. (1995a), ‘A profile of Australian sports journalists’, The ACHPER Healthy Lifestyles Journal, 42:3, pp. 1317.
    [Google Scholar]
  24. Henningham, J. (1995b), ‘Australian journalists’ religious views’, Australian Religious Studies Review, 8:2, pp. 6377.
    [Google Scholar]
  25. Henningham, J. (1995c), ‘Political journalists’ political and professional values’, Australian Journal of Political Science, 30:2, pp. 32134.
    [Google Scholar]
  26. Henningham, J. (1996), ‘Australian journalists’ professional and ethical values’, Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly, 73:1, pp. 20618.
    [Google Scholar]
  27. Henningham, J. (1998), ‘Australian journalists’, in D. H. Weaver (ed.), The Global Journalist: News People around the World, Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press, pp. 91107.
    [Google Scholar]
  28. Hobbs, M. and McKnight, D. (2014), ‘“Kick this mob out”: The Murdoch Media and the Australian Labor Government (2007–2013)’, Global Media Journal, 8:2, pp. 113.
    [Google Scholar]
  29. Hudson, W. (1963), ‘Metropolitan daily journalism in Australia’, unpublished MA thesis, Melbourne: University of Melbourne.
    [Google Scholar]
  30. James-Garrod, C. (2023), ‘“No time to think”: Overloaded journalists trim practices to save time’, Australian Journalism Review, 45:2, pp. 25776.
    [Google Scholar]
  31. Josephi, B. and Richards, I. (2012), ‘The Australian journalist in the 21st century’, in D. H. Weaver and L. Willnat (eds), The Global Journalist in the 21st Century, New York: Routledge, pp. 11525.
    [Google Scholar]
  32. Keane, B. (2023), ‘Polarisation, political campaigning and the stories the media tells itself about a Voice’, Crikey, 13 September, https://www.crikey.com.au/2023/09/13/voice-to-parliament-polarisation-marcia-langton/. Accessed 5 October 2023.
  33. Liddington-Cox, A. (2023), ‘The new journalism sin that’s worse than clickbait’, Mumbrella, 28 July, https://mumbrella.com.au/the-new-journalism-sin-thats-worse-than-clickbait-795732. Accessed 20 October 2023.
  34. Lim, S. (2021), ‘In Australia’s increasingly polarized media landscape, SMH fights to stay in the middle’, The Drum, 17 June, https://www.thedrum.com/news/2021/06/18/australia-s-increasingly-polarized-media-landscape-smh-fights-stay-the-middle. Accessed 2 October 2023.
    [Google Scholar]
  35. MEAA (2013), Annual Report 2013, https://www.meaa.org/download/meaa-annual-report-2013/. Accessed 18 August 2024.
  36. MEAA (2023), Annual Report 2022–23, https://www.meaa.org/mediaroom/meaa-annual-report-2022-23/. Accessed 18 August 2024.
  37. Nicholson, M., Zion, L. and Lowden, D. (2011), ‘A profile of Australian sport journalists (revisited)’, Media International Australia, 140:1, pp. 8496.
    [Google Scholar]
  38. North, L. (2012), ‘“Blokey” newsrooms still a battleground for female journalists’, Australian Journalism Review, 34:2, pp. 5770.
    [Google Scholar]
  39. North, L. (2016a), ‘Damaging and daunting: Female journalists’ experiences of sexual harassment in the newsroom’, Feminist Media Studies, 16:3, pp. 495510.
    [Google Scholar]
  40. North, L. (2016b), ‘Still a “blokes club”: The motherhood dilemma in journalism’, Journalism, 17:3, pp. 31530.
    [Google Scholar]
  41. North, L. (2016c), ‘The gender of “soft” and “hard” news: Female journalists’ views on gendered story allocations’, Journalism Studies, 17:3, pp. 35673.
    [Google Scholar]
  42. O’Donnell, P., Zion, L. and Sherwood, M. (2016), ‘Where do journalists go after newsroom job cuts?’, Journalism Practice, 10:1, pp. 3551.
    [Google Scholar]
  43. O’Regan, T. and Young, C. (2019), ‘Journalism by numbers: Trajectories of growth and decline of journalists in the Australian census 1961–2016’, Media International Australia, 172:1, pp. 1332.
    [Google Scholar]
  44. Park, S., Fisher, C., McGuinness, K., Lee, J., McCallum, K., Cai, X., Chatskin, M., Mardjianto, L. and Yao, P. (2023), Digital News Report: Australia 2023, Canberra: News Media Research Centre, University of Canberra, https://researchsystem.canberra.edu.au/ws/portalfiles/portal/81956613/apo_nid322606_1.pdf. Accessed 4 November 2023.
    [Google Scholar]
  45. Park, S., Lee, J. and Fisher, C. (2024), ‘Changing journalists’ occupations: An analysis of Australian census 2021’, Australian Journalism Review, 46:1, pp. 1731.
    [Google Scholar]
  46. Ricketson, M., Dodd, A., Zion, L. and Winarnita, M. (2020), ‘“Like being shot in the face” or “I’m glad I’m out”: Journalists’ experiences of job loss in the Australian media industry 2012–2014’, Journalism Studies, 21:1, pp. 5471.
    [Google Scholar]
  47. Ricketson, M., Murphy, K. and Mullins, P. (2019), ‘The media’, in M. Evans, M. Grattan and B. McCaffrie (eds), From Turnbull to Morrison: The Trust Divide, Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, pp. 10926.
    [Google Scholar]
  48. Savva, N. (2023), ‘If you thought the Voice was bad, just wait until the next election’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 19 October, https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/if-you-thought-the-voice-was-bad-just-wait-until-the-next-election-20231018-p5ed6e.html. Accessed 19 October 2023.
    [Google Scholar]
  49. Schultz, J. (1998), Reviving the Fourth Estate: Democracy, Accountability and the Media, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  50. Shoemaker, P. and Vos, T. (2009), Gatekeeping Theory, New York: Routledge.
    [Google Scholar]
  51. Strating, R. and Carson, A. (2023), ‘“Lies fuel racism”: How the global media covered Australia’s Voice to Parliament referendum’, The Conversation, 5 October, https://theconversation.com/lies-fuel-racism-how-the-global-media-covered-australias-voice-to-parliament-referendum-215665. Accessed 7 October 2023.
  52. Tandoc, E., Hellmueller, L. and Vos, T. (2013), ‘Mind the gap: Between journalistic role conception and role enactment’, Journalism Practice, 7:5, pp. 53954.
    [Google Scholar]
  53. Weaver, D. (ed.) (1998), The Global Journalist: News People around the World, Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  54. Weaver, D. and Wilhoit, G. (1986), The American Journalist, Bloomington, IN: University of Indiana Press.
    [Google Scholar]
  55. Weismueller, J., Harrigan, P., Gruner, R. and Wang, S. (2023), ‘Misinformation is rife and causing deeper polarisation: Here’s how social media users can help curb it’, The Conversation, 26 July, https://theconversation.com/misinformation-is-rife-and-causing-deeper-polarisation-heres-how-social-media-users-can-help-curb-it-210189. Accessed 19 October 2023.
  56. Witschge, T. and Nygren, G. (2009), ‘Journalistic work: A profession under pressure?’, Journal of Media Business Studies, 6:1, pp. 3759.
    [Google Scholar]
  57. Zion, L., Sherwood, M., O’Donnell, P., Marjoribanks, T., Ricketson, M., Dodd, A., Deuze, M. and Buller, B. (2023), ‘Media in the news: How Australia’s media beat covered two major journalism change events’, Journalism Practice, 17:2, pp. 26482.
    [Google Scholar]
  58. Hanusch, F., Hanitzsch, T. and Lauerer, C. (2017), ‘“How much love are you going to give this brand?”:  Lifestyle journalists on commercial influences in their work’, Journalism, 18:2, pp. 14158.
    [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.1386/ajr_00173_1
Loading
/content/journals/10.1386/ajr_00173_1
Loading

Data & Media loading...

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a success
Invalid data
An error occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test