Pre-COVID, there was a long-term serious trend brought about by the switch to online advertising, where there were steady cutbacks in journalism. The coronavirus crisis has resulted in a surge in audiences for traditional media, with a demand for accurate and timely information.
Professor Fels, who was chairman of the ACCC between 1995 and 2003, said there was no doubt local media was suffering — particularly in suburban and regional areas. “We’re not seeing the death, but we’re seeing a deadly looking decline in local journalism unless something is done about it,” he said.
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