Reuters Institute Digital News Report (Ireland)

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REUTERS Institute for Future INSTITUTE forthe Media & Journalism STUDY of JOURNALISM

Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2017 (Ireland)

Paul McNamara, Kevin Cunningham, Eileen Culloty and Jane Suiter

Institute for Future Media & Journalism 2 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Contents

BAI Foreword 4 Digital News Report Ireland Foreword 5 Methodology 6 Authorship and Research Acknowledgements 7 Executive Summary 8 Section One: Irish News Consumers 10 Section Two: Platforms and Devices 30 Section Three: News Preferences and Trust 38 Section Four: News Brands 48 Section Five: Paying for News 62 Section Six: Gateways to News and Methods of Consuming 73 Section Seven: Social Media and Engagement 84 Essay: Trust in News by Dr Jane Suiter, Dublin City University 93 Essay: Paying for Journalism by Dr Eileen Culloty, Dublin City University 97 Essay: Bypassing the News Media by Dr Caroline Fisher University of Canberra 99

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 3 BAI Foreword

Unfolding events over the last 12 months have highlighted again the importance of credible news for the functioning of a democratic society. Promoting a plurality of voices, viewpoints, outlets and sources in Irish media is central to the BAI Mission as set out in our new Strategy Statement 2017-2019. The provision of contemporary research on how audiences are interacting with the array of news outlets and sources available today supports the achievement of the objectives and outcomes that flow from this Mission. In this context, the Reuters Digital News research project is a critical building block both in terms of what it tells us about the position today but perhaps more importantly about where we are headed. The BAI is delighted to partner with the Institute for Future Media and Journalism (FuJo) in Dublin City University to publish this third Ireland specific report to accompany the larger global report published by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University. While there are many similarities in how our digital societies are developing across the globe, there are equally country specific trends that need to be identified and understood. This local and global perspective on similar issues is one of the most valuable aspects of this research project. As you will see from the report, the 2017 data again highlights the challenging environment for traditional media and the growth of digital offerings fuelled by new technology and the more digital literate society. The generational and demographic divides identified in previous reports continue to be a concern for the effective operation of media pluralism in a democratic society. These are complex challenges that require imaginative solutions. The first step in this process is recognising and accepting current realities and this research project is making a significant contribution here. As with previous reports, the data poses as many questions as it answers and the debate in relation to some of these areas is developed in the text and the accompanying essays. For example, the research shows that Ireland’s level of trust in news is higher than the international average. However, trust needs to be balanced by an ability to critically evaluate the information being provided. Dr Jane Suiter’s essay further analyses the story of trust in news in Ireland. This report is part of a growing body of research being supported by the BAI in the context of its commitment to ensure that the mix of voices, opinions and sources of news available for Irish audiences remains strong. For more information please see our website www.bai.ie. Michael O’Keeffe BAI Chief Executive June 2017

4 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Digital News Report (Ireland) Foreword

Welcome to the third annual Irish Digital News Report which has been designed to capture the changing ecology of news in Ireland. As the largest on-going comparative study of news consumption in the world, the international report is an important indicator of shifting global trends.

This report both puts the Irish data in an international context and delves deeper into specific issues. We hope this will build into an invaluable resource for academics, media owners, journalists, and those developing policy.

Our team, based at the Institute for Future Media and Journalism (FuJo) at Dublin City University, are hugely grateful to our sponsor, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), and our academic partners the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University as well as the international pollsters YouGov and their Irish partners Research Now.

Through the annual Irish Digital News Report and associated research projects, the DCU FuJo Institute is establishing a critical knowledge base for the Irish media industry. For more information about this work, please visit www.fujomedia.eu

Jane Suiter Director, Institute for Future Media and Journalism (FuJo) June 2017

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 5 Methodology

This study has been commissioned to understand how news is currently being consumed globally with a particular focus on digital news consumption and devices used to access the news. Core questions were asked in all 36 countries to a nationally representative audience to provide an international comparison. This is a study for the Reuters Institute made possible with the support of the following organisations and academic partners from the Hans Bredow Institute, Hamburg, Navarra University in Spain, Roskilde University in Denmark, University of Canberra, Dublin City University, University of Laval in Montreal, University of Tampere in Finland, University of Bergen in Norway. Method: • The research was conducted online in January/February 2017. • The data was weighted to targets set on age and gender, region, newspaper readership and social grade to reflect the total population. The sample is reflective of the population who have access to the internet. Respondents were screened out if they had not accessed news in the last month. • A comprehensive online questionnaire was designed with input from all stakeholders to capture all aspects of news consumption. • The 36 markets were split into three sets according to geography.

Country Starting sample Non News user % Final Sample Size Total population Internet penetration Ireland 2,083 3.9 2,002 4,713,993 77%

This research is designed to understand Irish news consumers’ use and value of news across a number of factors. Results here are reflective of the Irish news audience’s broad consumption trends and are not equated to the data collected by news organisations regarding their own digital readerships.

6 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Authorship and Research Acknowledgements

Jane Suiter is the Director of the Institute for Future Media and Journalism (FuJo) at Dublin City University where she is also Chair of the journalism BA programme. She is currently working on several FuJo projects: Trust in the Media and Politics, Climate Change in Irish Media, EU COST research on populist political communication in the media and an Irish Research Council project on the Irish citizens assembly. A former journalist, Jane was previously Economics Editor at The Irish Times. Paul McNamara is a member of the Institute for Future Media and Journalism (FuJo) at DCU. He is a lecturer in journalism at the School of Communications, Chair of its MA in Journalism programme, and is a former Head of School. He formerly worked as a business journalist at the Irish Independent and as a news journalist at the Evening Herald. Kevin Cunningham leads on Targeting and Analysis for the British Labour Party. His work focuses on campaign strategy. With Michael Marsh of TCD and Simon Hix of LSE, Kevin also started pollwatch, the most prominent set of predictions ahead of the Europe elections. He completed his PhD at Trinity College, Dublin. Eileen Culloty is a post-doctoral researcher at the Institute for Future Media and Journalism (FuJo) where she works on projects relating to media coverage of climate change and misinformation and digital literacy. Her research interests examine visual and factual digital media. Caroline Fisher is an Assistant Professor in journalism at the University of Canberra. Her research interests examine political communication, trust in news media, and transparency in journalism. Prior to academia she was a reporter, presenter and producer for ABC News and Radio National; and, spent three years as a ministerial media adviser to Anna Bligh in the Queensland government. We are also very grateful to the following people for their contributions and assistance: Dr David Levy, Director of the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism; Richard Feltcher, Research Fellow at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism; Nic Newman, Research Associate at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism; and Nuala Dormer and Ciaran Kissane, Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 7 Executive Summary

The Irish digital media market is in a phase of consolidation with few major developments over the past 12 months. In terms of yearly comparisons, it is worth noting that data collection for the previous 2016 report occurred during the general election campaign and we may assume that the election increased interest in, and exposure to, news. Consequently, a period of consolidation with relatively small changes is to be expected. The slow decline of TV and newspaper consumption continues, particularly among middle-aged groups between 35 and 45. Online news consumption remains flat while mobile is down a little from last year. There is little change regarding the devices people use to access news; as in previous years, there is a slight decrease in the popularity of computers. The major consumption shift is in the use of private messenger apps, such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, which are used more in Ireland than in many other countries. Other platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, have lost some traction for news consumption since 2015. The popularity of WhatsApp in particular has grown significantly over each of the past three years. In terms of general use, rather than news use specifically, some 40 percent are now using WhatsApp, 37 percent use Facebook Messenger, 19 percent use Viber and 15 percent use Snapchat. In recent years, the Irish broadcasting market underwent a number of changes. UTV was taken over twice in a ten month period: first by ITV in October 2015 and then by Liberty Global in July 2016. In September, UTV’s radio holdings were acquired by News UK. The local radio station TXFM (formerly Phantom), in which Communicorp had a stake, closed in October 2016. No other local or regional radio stations closed and no new stations were launched. There were no closures in the newspaper sector and a new national newspaper was launched in June 2017. The Times Ireland digital edition expanded into newspaper format, going against the more usual hardcopy to online trend. However, comparing the last six months of 2016 with the same period a year earlier, all major titles suffered a decline in circulation. The two major newspapers of record, The Irish Times and the Irish Independent, were both down 10 percent. In September 2016, Independent News and Media announced its intention to acquire the regional newspaper group Celtic Media. However, both companies abandoned the planned takeover by mutual consent in June 2017, just

8 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland ahead of a ministerial determination on the proposed acquisition. The BAI had conducted a media merger examination of the proposal earlier in the year and presented its report to the Minister for Communication in May 2017. Although overall print sales declined by around 6 percent, there is strong growth for digital editions. The Irish Times Digital Edition, a digital replica of the daily newspaper, doubled its readership between the first half of 2015 and the first half of 2016. Maintaining the metered paywall model, new subscription packages were introduced in February 2015. Independent News and Media increased its digital revenue by around 20 percent, which goes some way to offset the continued decline in print advertising. Within the digital-only sector, Maximum Media, owners of Her.ie and Joe.ie, are expanding into the UK market while moving away from their original online magazine formats in favour of video and podcast content. More broadly, the central debates about digital media in Ireland concern the circulation of fake news, particularly in relation to the UK’s European Union referendum and the US presidential election. Fake news and misinformation received considerable attention by all major newspaper titles with over 100 stories addressing the issue between October 2016 and March 2017. In addition, a very small right-wing site, TheLiberal.ie, was accused of manufacturing news on race riots, among other controversies, and is currently the subject of legal action. Another major issue concerns the role of the Irish data protection commissioner in protecting the privacy of European citizens. The court case ‘Data Protection Commissioner v. Facebook Ireland Limited & Maximilian Schrems’ concluded on March 15, 2017, but judgment was reserved for a later date. In these proceedings, a referral is sought to the Court of Justice of the European Union concerning the validity of allowing the transfer of personal data from the EU to the US.

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 9 Section One Irish News Consumers

This section describes the context of news consumption in Ireland and introduces the Irish news consumer. The levels of interest and engagement with news in Ireland are reported along with demographic breakdowns. Conceptual groups based on engagement, participation and digitalism provide insight into the culture of digital news audiences in Ireland.

10 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 1.1 Interest and access

Interest in News

Irish consumers' interest in news was consistently high over the last three years. Seventy percent or more declared themselves extremely or very interested in news each year. At the other end of the spectrum, those not very or not at all interested in news were in low single percentage points each year. Predictably, the Irish election year of 2016 saw a slight increase in interest levels in news. Interest in news increases with age. The older the consumer, the greater the interest.

Fig. 1 Interest in news 2015 – 2017 Fig.1 Fig.1 42% 43% 42% 42% 43% 42% 31% 28% 29% 31% 27% 26% 28% 29% 23% 27% 26% 23%

2% 2% 3% 1% 0% 1% 2% 2% 3% 1% 0% 1% Extremely Very interested Somewhat Not very Not at all Extremelyinterested Very interested Somewhatinterested interestedNot very interestedNot at all interested interested interested interested 2015 2016 2017 2015 2016 2017 How interested, if at all, would you say you are in news? HowHow inte rinterested,ested, if at if all, at all,would would you you say say you you ar aree in in news? news?

Fig.2 Fig.2 Fig. 2 Level of interest by age 18–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55+ 18–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55+ Extremely interested 16% 25% 29% 30% 34% Extremely interested 16% 25% 29% 30% 34% Very interested 33% 39% 39% 43% 48% Very interested 33% 39% 39% 43% 48% Somewhat interested 42% 30% 29% 25% 17% Somewhat interested 42% 30% 29% 25% 17% Not very interested 7% 4% 2% 2% 1% Not very interested 7% 4% 2% 2% 1% Not at all interested 1% 2% 1% 0% 0% Not at all interested 1% 2% 1% 0% 0% How interested, if at all, would you say you are in news? How interested, if at all, would you say you are in news? How interested, if at all, would you say you are in news? Fig.3 Fig.3 18–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55+ 18–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55+

Digital NewsOften Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute &6% Broadcasting Authority7% of Ireland 6% 3% 2% 11 Often 6% 7% 6% 3% 2% Sometimes 32% 31% 28% 19% 21% Sometimes 32% 31% 28% 19% 21% Occasionally 33% 31% 28% 29% 23% Occasionally 33% 31% 28% 29% 23% Total Ever Avoid 71% 69% 62% 51% 46% Total Ever Avoid 71% 69% 62% 51% 46% Total Never Avoid 27% 29% 36% 47% 54% Total Never Avoid 27% 29% 36% 47% 54% Don’t Know 2% 1% 1% 1% 0% Don’t Know 2% 1% 1% 1% 0% Do you actively avoid the news? Do you actively avoid the news? Fig.1

42% 43% 42%

31% 28% 29% 27% 26% 23%

2% 2% 3% 1% 0% 1%

Extremely Very interested Somewhat Not very Not at all interested interested interested interested 2015 2016 2017 How interested, if at all, would you say you are in news?

Fig.2

18–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55+ ExtremelyAvoiding interested the16% News 25% 29% 30% 34%

Very inteYoungerrested people are more33% likely to avoid39% the news39% than older groups.43% 48% Forty-one percent of Irish consumers never avoid the news. The three Somewhat interested 42% 30% 29% 25% 17% main reasons for avoiding the news are its negative impact on mood (53 Not verypercent), interested a perceived 7%inability to do4% anything about2% the issues covered2% in 1% the news (28 percent), and a perceived lack of certainty about the truth of Not at all interested 1% 2% 1% 0% 0% news (24 percent). How interested, if at all, would you say you are in news?

Fig.3 Fig. 3 News avoidance by age 2017 18–24 avoidance25–34 by Age 201735–44 45–54 55+

Often 6% 7% 6% 3% 2%

Sometimes 32% 31% 28% 19% 21%

Occasionally 33% 31% 28% 29% 23%

Total Ever Avoid 71% 69% 62% 51% 46%

Total Never Avoid 27% 29% 36% 47% 54%

Don’t Know 2% 1% 1% 1% 0%

DoDo you you actively actively avoid avoid the news?

Fig.4 Fig. 4 Reasons for avoiding the news 2017

News has a negative effect on my mood 53%

I don’t feel there is anything I can do about it 28%

I cannot rely on news to be true 24%

Graphic news images are upsetting 20%

News interrupts my concentration 15%

News is too time consuming 12%

News leads to arguments I’d rather avoid 10%

Other 6%

Don’t know 2%

Why do youWhy actively do you avoid avoid the news?

Fig.5

53% 54% 51%

12 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 33% 31% 28%

9% 9% 6% 4% 3% 4% 3% 4% 4% 2% 1% 1%

Several times a day Once a day Several times a week Once a week 2–3 times month Once a month

2015 2016 2017 Typically, how often do you access news whether national, international, or regional/local news?

Fig.6 Fig. 6 Frequency of Access by Age 2017

18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+ More than 10 times a day 4% 4% 9% 13% 7% Between 6 and 10 times a day 7% 7% 9% 10% 14% Between 2 and 5 times a day 47% 37% 33% 34% 26% Total: Several Times a day 58% 48% 51% 57% 47% Once a day 30% 30% 28% 25% 27% 2-3 days a week 5% 7% 6% 7% 9% 4-6 days a week 2% 5% 5% 5% 7% Once a week 3% 5% 5% 4% 7% Less often than once a week 4% 4% 5% 2% 3%

Typically, how often do you access news whether national, international, or regional/local news? Fig.4

News has a negativeFig.4 effect on my mood 53%

I don’t feel there is anything I can do about it News has a negative effect on my mood 28% 53%

I cannot rely on news to be true 24% I don’t feel there is anything I can do about it 28%

Graphic news images are upsetting 20% I cannot rely on news to be true 24%

News interrupts my concentration 15% Graphic news images areFrequency upsetting of Access20% News is too time consuming 12% News interrupts my concentration 15%

News leads to arguments I’d Therather majority avoid of Irish consumers10% access news several times a day. There is News is too timea consumingsmall increase over the last12% three years. Some 80 percent of consumers Other 6% News leads to arguments I’dcheck rather avoid the news several times,10% or at least once, a day. Those accessing news less than once a day represent approximately 20 percent of consumers. Don’t know 2% ThereOther is relatively little6% difference across age cohorts as to how often news is accessed. Don’t know 2% Why do you actively avoid the news?

Why do you actively avoidFig. the 5 Frequencynews? of access Fig.5

53% 54% 51% Fig.5

53% 54% 51% 33% 31% 28%

33% 31% 28% 9% 9% 6% 4% 3% 4% 3% 4% 4% 2% 1% 1% 9% 9% 6% Several times a day Once a day Several times a week 4%Once 3%a week 4% 2–3 times3% month4% Once a month4% 2% 1% 1%

Several times a day Once a day Several times a week Once a week 2–3 times month Once a month 2015 2016 2017 Typically, how often do you access news whether national, international, or regional/local news? Typically, how often do you access2015 news whether2016 national, international,2017 or regional/local news? Fig.6Typically, how often do you access news whether national, international, or regional/local news? Fig. 6 Frequency of Access by Age 2017 Fig.6 Fig. 6 Frequency of access by age 2017 Fig. 6 Frequency18-24 of Access25-34 by Age 35-442017 45-54 55+ More than 10 times a day 4% 4% 9% 13% 7% 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+ Between 6 and 10 times a day 7% 7% 9% 10% 14% More than 10 times a day 4% 4% 9% 13% 7% Between 2 and 5 times a day 47% 37% 33% 34% 26% Between 6 and 10 times a day 7% 7% 9% 10% 14% Total: Several Times a day 58% 48% 51% 57% 47% Between 2 and 5 times a day 47% 37% 33% 34% 26% Once a day 30% 30% 28% 25% 27% Total: Several Times a day 58% 48% 51% 57% 47% 2-3 days a week 5% 7% 6% 7% 9% Once a day 30% 30% 28% 25% 27% 4-6 days a week 2% 5% 5% 5% 7% 2-3 days a week 5% 7% 6% 7% 9% Once a week 3% 5% 5% 4% 7% 4-6 days a week 2% 5% 5% 5% 7% Less often than once a week 4% 4% 5% 2% 3% Once a week 3% 5% 5% 4% 7% LessT ypicallofteny than, how once often a do week you access news4% whether national,4% international,5% or regional/local2% news? 3%

Typically, how often do you access news whether national, international, or regional/local news?

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 13 Types of News Accessed

The Irish access news in numerous ways. The most popular is to read a news story. This method dropped significantly in 2017 to 44 percent from over 60 percent in both 2016 and 2015. This reflects the time poverty of the modern news consumer which creates a reluctance to invest precious seconds and minutes in certain activities. To assist consumer time management, some news and content websites now inform their audience in advance how long a story or feature will take to read.

Scanning headlines was the next most popular way to access news, although this too has seen a steady decline in recent years. Using an app on a smartphone to access news remained steady across the three years surveyed in the 20 to 21 percent range. Infographics, at 6 percent in 2017, down from 9 percent the previous year, was the least popular of the 11 ways surveyed to access news.

Fig. 7 Types of online news accessed 2015–2017 Fig.7

62% Read news stories or articles 61% 44%

48% Looked at a list of news headlines 42% 32%

27% Watched an online news video 28% 24%

20% Used a news app on smartphone 21% 20%

19% Looked at a gallery of news pictures 18% 13%

6% Used a news app on tablet 7% 13%

13% Listened to news audio online 14% 11%

13% Read a news blog 12% 11%

13% Followed a live news page within a website 15% 11%

14% Looked at a news list (e.g a top 10 list) 13% 10%

8% Viewed a news infographic 9% 6%

2015 2016 2017

What typeWhat of type online of news news do do you you consume? consume? Fig.8

Left 19%

14 Centre Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU67% FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

Right 14%

Where would you place yourself on the political scale of left, right and centre? Fig.7

62% Read news stories or articles 61% 44%

48% Looked at a list of news headlines 42% 32%

27% Watched an online news video 28% 24%

20% Used a news app on smartphone 21% 20%

19% Looked at a gallery of news pictures 18% 13%

6% Used a news app on tablet 7% 1.2 Political Profile13% 13% Listened to news audio online 14% 11%

13% PoliticalRead Leaning a news blog 12% 11%

13% FollowedMore a live news consumers page within declared a website themselves in each 15%of the three political categories in 2017 than in the previous year.11% These increases are noteworthy and may indicate voter dissatisfaction14% with the perceived Looked at a news list (e.g a top 10 list) 13% effectiveness of the Coalition Government's10% decision-making capacity since taking office in 2016. Nonetheless,8% Ireland is notably less partisan Viewed a news infographic 9% and more centrist than most other countries.6% This is likely due to the long- standing hegemony of the two centrist parties Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. 2015 2016 2017

What type of online news do you consume? Fig. 8 Political leaning Fig.8

Left 19%

Centre 67%

Right 14%

WhereWhe wouldre wouldyou place you yourself place yourselfon the political on the scale political of ‘left’, scale ‘right’ of left, and right‘centre’? and centre?

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 15 Political Leaning by News Brands

The political leaning of the consumers of various Irish news brands is largely unremarkable. Consumers of The Irish Times, TheJournal.ie and Today FM are the most left-wing whereas consumers of RTÉ Radio, Sky News and Irish Independent Online are the most right-wing. It would be unwise to read too much into these figures as the variance across major news brands is relatively small.

Fig. 9 Political leaning by news brands Fig.9

Very/Fairly left- Slightly left- Slightly right- Very/Fairly Medium Outlet Centre wing of-centre of-centre right-wing

RTÉ TV News 17% 23% 37% 15% 9% TV TV3 News 18% 18% 40% 13% 11%

Sky News 17% 17% 38% 15% 12%

Irish Times 22% 27% 27% 15% 9%

Newspaper Local Paper 16% 20% 40% 14% 11%

Irish Independent 14% 20% 40% 15% 11%

Today FM 21% 22% 36% 13% 8%

Radio Newstalk 18% 24% 33% 16% 9%

RTÉ Radio 1, 2FM 17% 24% 30% 18% 10%

TheJournal.ie 23% 23% 32% 15% 7%

Online RTÉ News Online 17% 23% 35% 16% 9%

Irish Independent Online 17% 22% 35% 16% 10%

WheWherere would would you place yourself yourself on on the the political political scale scale of ‘left’, of ‘left ‘right’’,‘right and’ and‘centre’? ‘centre’?

Fig. 10 Perceptions of Political Understanding

Strongly agree 11%

Tend to agree 43% 29% Neither agree nor disagree 11% Tend to disagree 5% Strongly disagree

To what extent do you agree with the statement ‘I feel that I have a pretty good understanding 16 of the important politicalDigital issues News facing Report ourIreland country 2017 ’• ? DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

Fig. 11 Perceptions of Political Efﬁcacy

Strongly agree 8%

Tend to agree 27%

Neither agree nor disagree 35%

Tend to disagree 19%

Strongly disagree 12%

To what extent do you agree with the statement ‘I consider myself well-qualiﬁed to participate in politics’? Fig.9 Fig.9

Very/Fairly left- Slightly left- Slightly right- Very/Fairly Medium Outlet Centre Very/Fairlywing left- Slightlyof-cent left-re Slightlyof-cent right-re Vright-wingery/Fairly Medium Outlet Centre wing of-centre of-centre right-wing

RTÉ TV News 17% 23% 37% 15% 9% RTÉ TV News 17% 23% 37% 15% 9% TV TV3 News 18% 18% 40% 13% 11% T V TV3 News 18% 18% 40% 13% 11%

Sky News 17% 17% 38% 15% 12% Sky News 17% 17% 38% 15% 12% IrishPolitical Times Efficacy22% 27% 27% 15% 9% Irish Times 22% 27% 27% 15% 9% Newspaper Local Paper 16% 20% 40% 14% 11% Newspape r Political efficacy refers to citizens' belief that they can understand and Local Paper 16% 20% 40% 14% 11% influence political affairs. Fifty-four percent of Irish news consumers felt Irishthey Independent had a good understanding14% of political issues.20% Almost 40%30 percent were15% 11% Irishunable Independent to declare the extent of14% their political20% understanding 40% while some15% 11% Today16 FMpercent indicated they did21% not have a good22% understanding 36% of Irish 13% 8% Todaypolitical FM issues. Given the amount21% of political22% news in Irish 36%media, these 13% 8% Radio Newstalkfigures should give publishers18% cause for concern.24% The current33% extensive16% 9% Radio Newstalkpolitical coverage is apparently18% not providing24% some news consumers33% with16% 9% RTÉ Radio 1, 2FM 17% 24% 30% 18% 10% RTÉsufficient Radio 1, 2FM clarity on political 17%matters. 24% 30% 18% 10% TheJournal.ie 23% 23% 32% 15% 7% TheJournal.ieThe figures are even more disappointing23% in relation23% to consumers’32% 15% 7% Online RTÉperception News Online of their efficacy 17%and ability to participate23% in politics.35% In total,16% 9% Online RTÉ News Online 17% 23% 35% 16% 9% Irishsome Independent 66 percent Online felt they were not qualified to participate in politics or were unable to declare their abilities17% in this area.22% 35% 16% 10% Irish Independent Online 17% 22% 35% 16% 10% Where would you place yourself on the political scale of ‘left’,‘right’ and ‘centre’? Where would you place yourself on the political scale of ‘left’,‘right’ and ‘centre’? Fig. 10 Perceptions of political understanding Fig. 10 Perceptions of Political Understanding Fig. 10 Perceptions of Political Understanding Strongly agree 11% Strongly agree 11% Tend to agree 43% Tend to agree 43% 29% Neither agree nor disagree 29% Neither agree nor disagree 11% Tend to disagree 11% Tend to disagree 5% Strongly disagree 5% Strongly disagree To what extentTo what do extentyou ag doree you with agree the with statement the statement ‘I feel that‘I feel I thathave I havea pretty a pretty good good understanding understanding of the important political issues facing our country’? To what extent do youof ag theree importantwith the statement political issues ‘I feel facing that I ourhave country a pretty’? good understanding of the important political issues facing our country’?

Fig.Fig. 11 1 Perceptions1 Perceptions of of political Political efficacy Efficacy Fig. 11 Perceptions of Political Efficacy Strongly agree 8% Strongly agree 8% Tend to agree 27% Tend to agree 27% Neither agree nor disagree 35% Neither agree nor disagree 35% Tend to disagree 19% Tend to disagree 19% Strongly disagree 12% Strongly disagree 12% To what extent do you agree with the statement ‘I consider myself well-qualified to participate in politics’? To what extent do youTo ag whatree withextent the do statement you agree with‘I consider the statement myself ‘Iwell-qualified consider myself to participate in politics’? well-qualified to participate in politics’?

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 17 Political Engagement

In a sample of six countries [Australia, Germany, Ireland, Spain, UK, USA], 37 percent of social media users 'followed' at least one politician or political party. Some 63 percent did not. National differences are striking here. Having employed social media on political campaigning for over a decade, the USA leads the list with 54 percent following a politician, equating to more than a third of the entire national online population. This contrasts sharply with Germany where just 25 percent do so. The level in the USA is more than twice that in Germany. The results for the other countries were: UK: 42 percent; Australia: 36 percent; Ireland: 32 percent; and Spain: 31 percent.

Fig. 12 Following Politician/Political Party on Social Media Fig.Fig. 12 12 Following Following politician/political Politician/Political party Party on on social Social media Media Ireland Yes, I follow a politician/political party on social media 32% Yes, I follow a politician/political party on social media 32% Yes, I follow Left leaning politicians/parties 53% Yes, I follow Left leaning politicians/parties 53% Yes, I follow Centre leaning politicians/parties 30% Yes, I follow Centre leaning politicians/parties 30% Yes, I follow Right leaning politicians/parties) 43% Yes, I follow Right leaning politicians/parties) 43% Do you follow a politician or political party on social media? Do you follow a politician or political party on social media? Do you follow a politician or political party on social media?

Fig. 13 Following Politician/Political Party on Social Media International Fig. 13 Following Politician/Political Party on Social Media International

Fig. 13 Following politician/political party on social media International

75% 75% 68% 69% 64% 68% 69% 58% 64% 58% 46% Follow left-wing politician 46% FollowFollow left-wing centrist politician politian FollowFollow centrist right-wing politian politian 28% 29% Follow right-wing politian 28% 23% 29% Don’t follow a politician 20% 19% 19% 23% 18% Don’t follow a politician 20% 15%15% 14% 14%15% 14% 19% 12% 19%18% 15%15% 10%14% 14%15% 9% 14% 6% 12% 7% 10% 9% 6% 7%

USA UK Germany Ireland Spain Australia USA UK Germany Ireland Spain Australia When using social mediaDo for you news follow , have a politician you followed or political or subscribed party on social to amedia? channel/page of a politician or political party? When using social media for news , have you followed or subscribed to a channel/page of a politician or political party?

18 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland In Ireland there are clear gender differences in following politicians on social media with only 26 percent of women doing so compared with 39 percent of men. Both are least likely to follow parties of the right. There are also clear age differences with the greatest numbers of those in the 25-34 age bracket following a party on social media (45 percent).

Fig. 15 Following Politician/Political Party on Social Media by Gender Fig. 14 Following politician/political party on social media by gender Fig. 15 Following Politician/Political Party on Social Media by Gender Male Female Male Female I don’t follow a politician/political party 61 74 I don’t follow a politician/political party I follow a politician/political party on social media 39 61 26 74

I followI follow a politician/political a politician/political party ofparty the on left social media 17 39 12 26 I followI follow a politician/political a politician/political party ofparty the of cent there left 20 17 11 12

I followI follow a politician/political a politician/political party ofparty the of right the centre 12 20 7 11 I follow a politician/political party of the right 12 7 Do you follow a politician or political party on social media? Do you follow a politician or political party on social media? Do you follow a politician or political party on social media?

Fig. 16 Following Politician/Political Party on Social Media by Age Fig. 16 Following Politician/Political Party on Social Media by Age Fig. 15 Following politician/political18 –party24 25on– social34 35media–44 by 45age–54 55+ 18–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55+ I don’t follow a politician/political party 64 55 69 72 77 I don’t follow a politician/political party I follow a politician/political party on social media 36 64 45 55 21 69 28 72 23 77

I followI follow a politician/political a politician/political party ofparty the on left social media 19 36 18 45 14 21 11 28 11 23 I followI follow a politician/political a politician/political party ofparty the of cent there left 14 19 23 18 15 14 14 11 10 11

I followI follow a politician/political a politician/political party ofparty the of right the centre 14 14 13 23 8 15 7 14 6 10 I follow a politician/political party of the right 14 13 8 7 6 Do you follow a politician or political party on social media?

Do you follow a politician or political party on social media? Do you follow a politician or political party on social media?

Fig. 14 Reasons for Following a Politician/Political Party on Social Media Fig. 14 Reasons for Following a Politician/Political Party on Social Media I like a particular politician/political party 46% Partisan support I like a particular politician/political party 46% Partisan support I want to show others who I support politically 23% I want to show others who I support politically 23% I prefer to hear directly from a politician/political party 48% rather than have news ﬁltered by others I prefer to hear directly from a politician/political party 48%

rather than have news ﬁltered by others Dissatisfaction with These feeds provide me with more detailed information 38%

news media than I can get via the news media Dissatisfaction with These feeds provide me with more detailed information 38%

news media I don’tthan think I can the getnews via media the news report media the views of 29% politicians/political parties fairly I don’t think the news media report the views of 29% The mainstpoliticians/politicalream news media parties tend fairly to igno re the politician/ 25% political party I follow The mainstream news media tend to ignore the politician/ 25% Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 19 political party I follow Why do you follow a politician or political party on social media? Why do you follow a politician or political party on social media? Fig. 15 Following Politician/Political Party on Social Media by Gender

Male Female

I don’t follow a politician/political party 61 74 I follow a politician/political party on social media 39 26

I follow a politician/political party of the left 17 12 I follow a politician/political party of the centre 20 11

I follow a politician/political party of the right 12 7

Do you follow a politician or political party on social media?

OfFig. particular 16 Following note to Politician/Political news organizations Party is theon Social fact that Media 68 by percent Age of respondents across the six countries surveyed indicated some level of dissatisfaction with media coverage of18 politics.–24 25In –Ireland,34 35 political–44 45–54 55+ followers indicated that: (1) they preferred to hear directly from chosen I don’t follow a politician/political party 64 55 69 72 77 politicians [48 percent]; (2) the information from politicians is more I follow a politician/politicaldetailed than partythat onfrom social news media providers [3836 percent]; 45 (3) media21 coverage 28 23 I follow a politician/politicalis unfair and does party notof the report left on the politicians19 followed18 by respondents14 11 11 [29 percent]; and (4) the media tends to ignore the politician followed [25 I follow a politician/political party of the centre 14 23 15 14 10 percent]. See Page 99 Bypassing the News Media: Politicians and Public I follow a politician/politicalRegaining Control? party of the right 14 13 8 7 6

Do you follow a politician or political party on social media?

Fig. 14Fig. Reasons 16 Reasons for Following for following a Politician/Political politician/political Party partyon Social on socialMedia media

I like a particular politician/political party 46% Partisan support I want to show others who I support politically 23%

I prefer to hear directly from a politician/political party 48% rather than have news ﬁltered by others

Dissatisfaction with These feeds provide me with more detailed information 38% news media than I can get via the news media I don’t think the news media report the views of 29% politicians/political parties fairly The mainstream news media tend to ignore the politician/ 25% political party I follow

Why do youDo you follow follow a politician a politician or or political political party party onon social media?media?

20 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 1.3 Conceptual Groups

News Lovers, Daily Briefers, and Casual Users

News Lovers are extremely interested in news and access news content more than five times a day. Daily Briefers are very or extremely interested in news but access news content less than five times a day. Casual Users are somewhat interested in news and access news content once a day or less frequently.

The number of News Lovers and Daily Briefers increases with age whereas the opposite occurs with Casual Users. The percentage distribution of these three categories of news consumers has remained consistent over the last three years. The usage levels of news consumers in the three categories does not vary widely across those with low, middle and high incomes. Dublin has the highest percentage of News Lovers and the lowest of Casual Users. The reverse is true in Munster.

Fig.Fig. 17 17 Conceptual Conceptual groups Groups 2015-2017 2015-2017

2015 2016 2017 News Lovers 21% 23% 24%

Daily Briefers 45% 45% 45%

Casual Users 34% 32% 32%

Fig. 18 Conceptual Groups by Age 49% 49% 48% 45% 42%

37% 37%

31%

27% 27% 25% 24% 24% 21%

14%

News Lovers

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Daily Briefers21

Casual Users 18–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55+

Fig. 19 Conceptual Groups by Income

46% 46% 44%

32% 32% 29% News Lovers 24% 24% Daily Briefers 22% Casual Users

Low Income Middle Income High Income Fig. 17 ConceptualFig. 17 Conceptual Groups 2015-2017Groups 2015-2017

Fig. 17 Conceptual Groups 2015-2017 2015 2015 2016 2016 2017 2017 News LoversNews Lovers 21% 21% 23% 23% 24% 24%

2015 2016 2017 Daily BriefersDaily Briefers 45% 45% 45% 45% 45% 45% News Lovers 21% 23% 24%

Casual UsersCasual Users 34% 34% 32% 32% 32% 32% Daily Briefers Fig. 18 Conceptual45% groups by45% age 45%

CasualFig. Users 18 ConceptualFig. 18 Conceptual Groups34% byG roups Age by Age32% 32%

49% 49% 49% 49% 48% 48% Fig. 1845% Conceptual45% Groups by Age 49%42% 42% 49% 48% 37% 37% 37% 37% 45% 42%

31% 31% 37% 37% 27% 27%27% 27% 25% 25% 24% 24% 31% 24% 24% 21% 21% Fig. 17 Conceptual Groups 2015-2017 27% 27% 25% 24% 24% 14% 14% 21% 2015 2016 2017 News Lovers14% 21% 23% 24% News LoversNews Lovers

Daily BriefersDaily Briefers Daily Briefers 45% 45% 45% Casual UsersCasualNews Users Lovers 18–24 18–2425–34 25–3435–44 35–4445–54 45–54 55+ 55+ Casual Users 34% 32% 32% Daily Briefers

Fig. 19 ConceptualFig. 19 Conceptual Groups byGroups Income by Income Casual Users 18–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55+ Fig. 18 Conceptual Groups by Age 46% 49%46% Fig. 19 Conceptual groups by income46%49% 46% Fig. 19 Conceptual48% Groups by Income 44% 44% 45%

46% 42% 46% 44% 37% 37% 32% 32% 32% 32% 29% 29% 31% News LoversNews Lovers 32% 24% 24% 24% 24% 32% Daily BriefersDaily Briefers 22% 22% 27% 27% 29% 25% 24% 24% Casual UsersCasualNews Users Lovers 24% 21% 24% Daily Briefers 22% Casual Users 14%

News Lovers

Low IncomeLow Income Middle Income Middle Income High Income High Income Daily Briefers

Casual Users 18–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55+ Low Income Middle Income High Income Fig. 19 Conceptual Groups by Income

46% 46% 44%

22 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland

32% 32% 29% News Lovers 24% 24% Daily Briefers 22% Casual Users

Low Income Middle Income High Income Fig. 17 Conceptual Groups 2015-2017

2015 2016 2017 News Lovers 21% 23% 24%

Daily Briefers 45% 45% 45%

Casual Users 34% 32% 32%

Fig. 18Fig. Conceptual 20 Conceptual Groups groups by Age by location 49% Fig. 20 Conceptual Groups by Location49% 48% 45%

46% 42% 47% 45% 42% 37% 37%

31% 34% 31% 27% 27% 28% 25% 28% 26% 26%24% 24% 24% News Lovers 21% 21% Daily Briefers

14% Casual Users Fig. 20 Conceptual Groups by Location News Lovers

46% 47% Daily Briefers 45% 42% Casual Users 18–24Dublin 25–34 Rest of Leinster35–44 45–54Munster 55+ Connaught & Part of Ulster Fig. 19 Conceptual Groups by Income34% 31% 28% 28% 46% 26% 26% Fig. 21 Digitalism and Traditionalism46% 44% 24% News Lovers 21% Daily Briefers Digitalist 23% Casual Users Digitalism32% Half and and Half Traditionalism32% 45% 29% Digitalists are those who consume news via smartphones, tablets and News Lovers Traditionalist 31% 24% computers. Traditionalists24% mainly use newspapers, radio and TV. In Daily Briefers 22% 2017, Digitalists fell four percentage points to 23 percent whereas Casual Users Traditionalists grew two percentage points and Mixed [Half and Halfers] Dublin Rest of Leinster Munster Connaught & Part increased by a single percentage point. of Ulster

Fig. 21 21 Digitalism Digitalism and and T raditionalismtraditionalism

Low Income Digitalist Middle Income 23% High Income

Half and Half 45%

Traditionalist 31%

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 23 These findings merit further investigation. For instance, are traditional media, favoured by audiences with lower incomes and lower levels of education, seeing more rapidly declining audience figures? If so, why? Clearly, it is not always due to a transfer to digital offerings by news providers. Younger news consumers are more likely to be Digitalists. Older news consumers are more likely to be Traditionalists. The Mixed Half and Halfers ranged from 40 percent. Dublin had the highest percentage of Digitalists at 24 percent, although the figure was broadly similar across the four geographic areas surveyed. Connaught and Part of Ulster had the highest percentage of Traditionalists at 36 percent.

Fig.Fig. 22 22Digitalism Digitalism and and traditionalism Traditionalism by by age Age

Fig. 22 Digitalism and Traditionalism by Age 52% Fig.48% 22 Digitalism and Traditionalism by Age 46% 46% 47% 52% 40% 48% 47% 35% 46% 46% 52% 33% 48% 30% 47% Digitalist 46% 29%46% 40% 35% 25% Half and Half 33% 40% 30% Digitalist 35% 19% 19% 29% 18% 33% Traditionalist 25% 30% DigitalistHalf and Half 29% 13% 19% 19% 25% 18% HalfTraditionalist and Half 19% 13% 19% 18% Traditionalist 13% 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+

18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+

18-24 Fig.25-34 23 Digitalism35-44 and Traditionalism45-54 by Location 55+ Fig. 23 Digitalism and traditionalism by location Fig. 23 Digitalism and Traditionalism by Location 47% 45% 46% Fig. 23 Digitalism and Traditionalism by Location 42% 47% Fig. 22 Digitalism45% and Traditionalism46% by Age 36% 32% 47% 30% 42% 29% 45% 46% 36% 24% 42% Digitalist 23% 32% 23% 52% 22% 29% 48% 30% 36% 46% 46% 47% Half and Half 24% 32% Digitalist 23% 23% 30% 29% 22% 40% Traditionalist 24% DigitalistHalf and Half 35% 23% 23% 22% 33% 30% Digitalist 29% HalfTraditionalist and Half 25% Half and Half Dublin Rest of Leinster Munster Connaught & Part Traditionalist 19% 19% 18% of Ulster Traditionalist 13% Dublin Rest of Leinster Munster Connaught & Part of Ulster Dublin Rest of Leinster Munster Connaught & Part of Ulster

18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+

24 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Fig. 23 Digitalism and Traditionalism by Location

47% 45% 46% 42% 36% 32% 29% 30% 24% Digitalist 23% 23% 22% Half and Half

Traditionalist

Dublin Rest of Leinster Munster Connaught & Part of Ulster Fig. 24 Digitalism and Traditionalism by Income

Fig. 24 Digitalism and traditionalism by income High 31%Fig. 24 Digitalism and Traditionalism46% by Income 24%

High 31% 46% 24% Medium 22% 46% 32%

Digitalist

22% 46% 32% Half and Half LowMedium 16% 43% 41% Fig. 22 Digitalism and Traditionalism by Age Traditionalist Digitalist

Half and Half Low 16% 43% 52% 41% 48% 46% 46% 47% Traditionalist 40% 35% 33% 30% Digitalist 29% 25% Half and Half 19% 19% 18% Traditionalist 13% Fig. 25 Digitalism and Traditionalism by Education Fig. 25 Digitalism and traditionalism by education

18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+ Fig. 25 Digitalism and Traditionalism by Education Masters/Doctoral OR Bachelor’s 29% 46% 24%

Fig. 23 Digitalism and Traditionalism by Location Masters or Doctoral degree 28% 52% 20% Masters/Doctoral OR Bachelor’s 29% 46% 24%

47% 45% 46% Bachelor’s degree or similar 30% 44% 42% 26% Masters or Doctoral degree 28% 52% 20% 36% 32% 30% Professional qualiﬁcation29% 20% 49% 31% Bachelor24% ’s degree or similar Digitalist 23% 30% 23% 22%44% 26% Half and Half

Secondary school, high school, 19% 43% 39% Traditionalist baccalaureateProfessional or A-levels qualiﬁcation 20% 49% 31% Fig. 22 Digitalism and Traditionalism by Age I did not complete secondary/high school 12% 42% 45% SecondaryDublin school, high school,Rest of Leinster19% Munster 43% Connaught & Part 39% baccalaureate or A-levels 52% of Ulster 48% I am currently in school/full-time46% education 31% 46% 44% 47% 25% I did not complete secondary/high school 12% 42% 45% 40% 35% 33% 30% Digitalist I am currently in school/full-time education 31%29% 44% 25% 25% Half and Half 19% 19% 18% Traditionalist 13%

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 25

18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+

Fig. 23 Digitalism and Traditionalism by Location

47% 45% 46% 42% 36% 32% 29% 30% 24% Digitalist 23% 23% 22% Half and Half

Traditionalist

Dublin Rest of Leinster Munster Connaught & Part of Ulster Fig. 26 Participation in News Coverage

Participation in News Coverage

28% Positive Participants respondPositive frequently participator to news by writing, sharing or 49% commenting. Receptive Participators are less active and may share or 'like' Reactive participator news. Passive Consumers don't engage digitally but talk about news with friends. Female and male participationPassive consumer in news produces broadly similar patterns24% across age categories. The young tend to be more active than their older counterparts. Men in the 25-34 age group are the most active at 36 percent as are women in the same age category at 32 percent. Men in the 55+ age group are the most passive at 59 percent with their female counterparts at 55 percent. Fig. 27 Participation in News Coverage by Age and Gender Fig. 26 Participation in News Coverage 59% Fig. 26 Participation in news coverage 54% Fig. 26 Participation in55% News Coverage

48% 47% 47% 44% 42% 39% 28% 38% Positive participatorPositive participator 36% 49% 32% 32% 28% Reactive participator 30% Fig. 26 Participation in News CoverageReactive participator 29% 29% 30% Positive participator 27% 28% 27% 49%26% Passive consumer 24% 25% Passive consumer 24% 24% 23% Reactive participator 23% 22% 24% 22% Passive consumer 16% 24% 28% Positive participator 49% Fig. 27 Participation in News Coverage by Age and GendeReactiver participator M 18–24 M 25–34 M 35–44 M 45–54 M 55+ F 18–24 F 25–34 F 35–44 F 45–54 F 55+ Passive consumer Fig. 27Fig. Participation 27 Participation59% in News24% in news Coverage coverage by Age by and age Gende and genderr 54% 55% 59% 48% Fig. 28 Participation in News47% Coverage54% by Education 47% 55% 44% 42% 39% 47% 48% 54% 47% 38% Positive participator 53% 36% 44% 42% Fig. 27 Participation in News Coverage by Age and Gender 32% 32% 39% 48% 48% Reactive participator 29% 30% 30% 38% Positive participator 29% 28% 36% 59% 27% 27% 25% 26% Passive consumer 42% 32% 24% 24% 32% 24% 23% 22%54% 30% 23% 55% Reactive participator 29% 29% 30% 39% 22% 27% 28% 27% 26% 24% 25% 24% Passive consumer 24% 16% 47% 48% 23% 23% 47% 22% 32% 22% 30% 44%29% 28% 28% 27% 27% 42% 27% 39% 26% 16% 25% 38% Positive participator 36% Positive participator 19% 32% 19% 32% 30% Reactive participator 29% 29% 30% Reactive participator M 18–24 M 25–34 M 35–44 M 45–54 M 55+ F 18–24 F 25–34 F27% 35 –44 F28% 45 –54 F 55+ 27% 26% 24% 25% Passive consumer 24% Passive24% consumer23% 23% 22% 22% M 18–24 M 25–34 M 35–44 M 45–54 M 55+ F 18–24 F 25–34 F 35–44 F 45–54 F 55+ 16% MaleFig. 28 Participation in News CoverageFemale by Education Currently in school I did not Secondary school Professional Bachelor’s degree Masters or or education complete qualiﬁcation or similar Doctoral degree secondary school 53%Fig. 28 Participation54% in News Coverage by Education

M 18–24 M 25–34 M 35–44 M 45–54 M 55+ F 18–24 F48% 25– 34 F 35–44 48%F 45 –54 F 55+ 53% 54% 42% 26 Digital48% News Report Ireland48% 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 39%

42% 32% 30% Fig. 28 Participation in News Coverage by Education 39% 28% 29% 27% 27% 28% 27% 26% 54% 25% 32% 30% 53% 28% 29% Positive participator 27%19% 27% 28% 19% 27% 26% 48% 25%48% Reactive participator Positive participator 42% 19% 19% Passive consumer 39% Reactive participator Passive consumer 32% 30% 28% 29% 27% 27% 28% Currently in school I did not Secondary school Professional27% 26% Bachelor’s degree Masters or 25% or education complete qualiﬁcation or similar Doctoral degree Positive participator secondary school Currently in school I19% did not Secondary19% school Professional Bachelor’s degree Masters or or education complete qualiﬁcation or similar Doctoral degree Reactive participator secondary school Passive consumer

Currently in school I did not Secondary school Professional Bachelor’s degree Masters or or education complete qualiﬁcation or similar Doctoral degree secondary school Fig. 26 Participation in News Coverage

28% Positive participator 49% Reactive participator

Passive consumer 24%

Fig. 27 Participation in News Coverage by Age and Gender

It is interesting to note59% that the figures for Positive Participants in news are similar across54% all educational categories, ranging from 27 percent55% to 30 percent. The largest percentage of Passive Consumers of news falls in 48% the 'Did47% Not Complete Secondary School' and 'Did47% Complete Secondary 44% 42% School' categories at 53 percent and 54 percent respectively. 39% 38% Positive participator 36% Younger groups who use social media tend to be more left-aligned 32% 32% 30% Reactive participator 29% 29% 30% and tend to use social media as a mechanism27% to express28% criticism of 27% 26% 24% 25% Passive consumer conservative24% politicians and/or governments. 24% 23% 23% 22% 22%

Fig. 2616% Participation in News Coverage

M 18–24 M 25–34 M 35–44 M 45–54 M 55+ F 18–28%24 F 25–34 F 35–44 F 45–54 F 55+ Positive participator 49% Reactive participator

Fig. 28 Participation in News Coverage by EducationPassive consumer Fig. 28 Participation24% in news coverage by education

53% 54%

48% 48%

42% Fig. 27 Participation in News Coverage by Age and Gender 39%

32% 30% 59% 28% 29% 27% 27% 28% 54% 27% 26% 55% 25% Positive participator 48% 19%47% 19% 47% 44% Reactive participator 42% 39% 38% PositivePassive participator consumer 36% 32% 32% 30% Reactive participator 29% 29% 30% 27% 28% 27% 26% 24% 25% Passive consumer 24% 24% 23% Currently in school23% I did not Secondary22% school Professional Bachelor’s degree Masters22% or or education complete qualiﬁcation or similar Doctoral degree secondary school 16%

M 18–24 M 25–34 M 35–44 M 45–54 M 55+ F 18–24 F 25–34 F 35–44 F 45–54 F 55+

Fig. 28 Participation in News Coverage by Education

53% 54%

48% 48%

42% 39%

32% 30% 28% 29% Digital News Report Ireland 2017 27% • DCU FuJo Institute 27%& Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 28% 27 27% 26% 25% Positive participator 19% 19% Reactive participator

Passive consumer

Currently in school I did not Secondary school Professional Bachelor’s degree Masters or or education complete qualiﬁcation or similar Doctoral degree secondary school News consumersFig. 26 on Participation either end ofin Newsthe political Coverage spectrum are Positive Participants with 36 percent declaring themselves very left-wing and 46 percent very right-wing. Active users are politically engaged and more decided. One predictor of passive news consumption is whether an individual knows friends' political views. 28% Positive participator 49% Reactive participator Fig. 29 Participation in News Coverage by Political Leaning Fig. 29 Participation in news coverage by politicalPassive leaning consumer 24%

62%

52% 47% 45% 46% Fig. 27 Participation in News Coverage by Age43% and Gender 39% 37% 36% 36% 59% 31% 30% 55% 54% 29%28% 28% 27% 26% Postive participator 25% 24% 25% 23% 23% 48% 47% 47% 20% Reactive participator 44% 18% 42% 39% Passive consumer 38% Positive participator 36% 32% 32% 30% Reactive participator 29% 29% 30% 27% 28% 27% 26% 24% 25% Passive consumer 24% 24% 23% 23% 22% 22% Centre ’t know 16% Don Very left-wing Fairly left-wing Fairly right-wing Very right-wing Slightly left of centre Slightly right of centre

M 18–24 M 25–34 M 35–44 M 45–54 Fig.M 55+ 30 InfluenceF 18–24 F 25of –friends’34 F 35 –political44 F 45 –54viewsF 55+ Fig. 30 Participation in News Coverage and Peer Group Knowledge I don’t Most all of Almost all Almost all Most all of Around half really know my close of my close of my close my close of my close what most Most friends do friends do Don’t Most friends share friendsFig. 28 share Participation friends share in News Coverage by Educationof my close don’t not share not share know share my political my political my political friends share my political my political views views views I don’t think about 54% views views Almost all Most of my 53%Around half Most of my Almost all really know politics Don't know of my close close of my close close of my close48% what most 48% what friends friends friends friends do friends do of my close friends Positive share my42% 37% share my 34%share my 32%not share not36% share friends31% 16% 16% 34% think34% about Participatorpolitical political political my political my political think about 39% Most don't politics/ views views views views views politics Don't know Most Share share don't know 32% 30% 28% 29% 27% 27% 28% ator Reactive 37% 34% 32% 36% 27% 31%26% 16% 16% 34% 34% 16% 27% 24% 26% 30% 31%25% 21% 11% 24% 30% Participator Positive participator pator 27% 24%19% 26% 19% 30% 31% 21% 11% 24% 30% 19% Reactive participator ator 36% 43% 42% 35% 39% 63% 75% 41% 36% 65% Passive Passive consumer19 Participator 36% 43% 42% 35% 39% 63% 75% 41% 36%

Currently in school I did not Secondary school Professional Bachelor’s degree Masters or or education complete qualiﬁcation or similar Doctoral degree secondary school Digital News Report Ireland 2017 - FuJo Institute (DCU) & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 28 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 1.4 Conclusion

Irish consumers have a strong interest in news, with the majority accessing it several times a day. The most popular way to access news was to read a story. Current political news coverage is not providing some consumers with sufficient clarity on political matters. Substantially fewer women follow politics on social media than men. In 2017, the number of Digitalist news consumers fell whereas the number of Traditionalists increased. Young news consumers are more active than older ones when it comes to writing about, sharing and commenting on news. Younger groups who use social media tend to be more left- aligned.

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 29 Section Two Platforms and Devices

This section describes the use of both traditional and digital news platforms and the demographics of consumers who use various platforms. Findings in relation to devices and platforms include a section on social media and a section on smartphones.

30 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 2.1 Platforms

Platforms for News

Over the past three years TV has declined slightly in popularity for news, dropping 8 percentage points to 68 percent. Radio and printed newspapers both also saw declines. Social media grew a little over the period but has remained steady at 52 percent over the past year.

Fig. 31 Platforms for news 2015-2017 Fig.Fig. 31 31 Platforms Platforms for for News News 2015-2017 2015-2017

76%76% 73%73% 68%68% 70%70%70%70% 66%66%

52%52%52%52% 50%50% 49%49% 49%49% 47%47% 46%46% 45%45% 40%40%

20152015 20162016 20172017 TVTV RadioRadio PrintedPrinted SocialSocial OnlineOnline NewspapersNewspapers MediaMedia (excl(excl social social mediamedia & & blogs) blogs) Which,Which, if if any, any, platforms platforms have have you you used used in in Which, if any, platformsthethe last last have week weekyou used as as in a athe source source last week of of as news? anews? source of news?

Fig.Fig. 32 32 Platforms Platforms for for News News by by age age group group 2017 2017

85%85% 81%81% 70%70% 66%66% 69%69% 63%63% 65%65% 63%63% 64%64% 60%60% 60%60% 59%59%58%58% 50%50% 45%45% 51%51% 44%44% 45%45% 31%31% 40%40% 1818––2424 22%22% 31%31% 2525––3434 21%21% 21%21% 3535–44–44 21%21% 4545––5454 55+55+

TVTV RadioRadio PrintedPrinted SocialSocial OtherOther NewspapersNewspapers MediaMedia OnlineOnline

Which,Which, if if any, any, platforms platforms have have you you used used in in Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcastingthethe last last Authority week week of Irelandas as a a source source of of news? news? 31 Fig. 31 Platforms for News 2015-2017

76% 73% 68% 70% 70% 66% Platforms for News 52% 52% 50% 49% 49% 47% 46% 45% Legacy media are broadly more popular40% with older age groups while younger age groups are more likely to rely on social media for news. In terms of TV audience share, there is a 41 percentage point difference between the 55+ age group (85 percent) and the 18-24 age group (44 percent). The gap between these two age groups is also striking for radio and printed newspapers with a respective difference of 39 percentage 2015 points for both. Age differences in audience share are closer for social 2016 media with a 25 percentage point difference between the oldest and 2017 TV Radio Printed Social Online youngest cohorts. Age differencesNewspapers are comparativelyMedia insignificant(excl social for online media generally. media & blogs) Which, if any, platforms have you used in the last week as a source of news?

Fig. 32 Platforms for news by age group 2017

Fig. 32 Platforms for News by age group 2017

85% 81% 70% 66% 69% 63% 65% 63% 64% 60% 60% 59%58% 50% 45% 51% 44% 45% 31% 40% 18–24 22% 31% 25–34 21% 21% 35–44 21% 45–54 55+

TV Radio Printed Social Other Newspapers Media Online

Which, if any, platforms have you used in Which, if any, platformsthe last have week you used as ain sourcethe last week of asnews? a source of news?

32 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Social Media for News

As a source of news, social media is more popular among women (57 percent) than men (47 percent). Regional variances are also evident with people in Munster (57 percent) more likely to use social media for news than people in Dublin (49 percent).

Fig.Fig. 33 33 Social Social Media media for for News news byby Gendergender 2017 2017 Fig. 33 Social Media for News by Gender 2017 57% 57% 47% 47%

Male Female Male Female Which, if any, platforms have you used in Which, if any, platforms have you used in the last week as a source of news? Which,the if any, last platforms week as a have source you of used news? in the last week as a source of news?

Fig. 34 Social Media for News by Region 2017 Fig. 34Fig. Social 34 Social Media media for News for news by Region by region 2017 2017 57% 57% 52% 51% 49% 52% 51% 49%

Munster Rest of Connaught & Dublin Munster RestLeinster of Connaughtpart of Ulster& Dublin Leinster part of Ulster

Which, if any, platforms have you used in the last week as a source of news?

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 33 2.2 Devices for News

Digital Devices for News Fig.4 Two of the three devices fell back in 2017, with computers down 10 News has a negative effect on my moodpercentage points, smartphones down six and tablets steady on53% 21 percent. At 62 percent, computers remained the most popular device on I don’t feel there is anything I can do aboutwhich it to access news, with smartphones28% next at 53 percent and tablets a

I cannot rely on news to bedistant true third. Multi-device usage is24% common.

Graphic news images are upsetting 20%

News interrupts my concentration 15%

News is too time consuming Fig. 33 SocialFig. 35 Media12% Digital for devices News byfor Gendernews, 2016-2017 2017

News leads to arguments I’d rather avoid 10%

72% Other 6%

Don’t know 2% 62% 59%

Why do you actively avoid the news? 53%

Fig.5

53% 54% 51%

21% 21% 33% 31% 28%

9% 9% 6% 4% 3% 4% 3% 4% 4% 2% 1% 1%

Several times a day Once a day ComputerSeveral times a week SmartphoneOnce a week 2–3Tablet times month Once a month

Fig.2015 34 Smartphone2016 use2017 for news by age Typically, how often do you access news whether national, international, or regional/local news? What devices do you use when accessing the news? 74% Fig.6 69% 65% 61% 62% Fig. 6 Frequency of Access 59%by Age 2017

49%18-24 25-34 35-44 50% 45-54 55+ 46% 4% 4% 9% 13% 7% Laptop/Computer More than 10 times a day 41% Between 6 and 10 times a day 7% 7% 9% 10% 14% Smartphone

Between 2 and 5 times a day 47% 37% 33% 34% 26%26% Tablet 58% 48% 23% 51% 57% 47% Total: Several Times a day 18% 16% 17% Once a day 30% 30% 28% 25% 27% 34 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 2-3 days a week 5% 7% 6% 7% 9% 4-6 days a week 2% 5% 5% 5% 7% 18–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55+ Once a week 3% 5% 5% 4% 7% Less often than once a week 4% 4% 5% 2% 3% Which devices do you use when accessing news Typically, how often do you access news whether national, international, or regional/local news? Fig. 33 Social Media for News by Gender 2017

72%

Fig. 33 Social 62%Media for News by Gender 2017 59%

53% 72%

62% Smartphone Use 59%for News

53% Smartphone use ranged from 65 percent to 41 percent across the five age cohorts surveyed, with younger consumers making21% more21% use than older. Computer or laptop use ranged from 46 percent to 74 percent, with older cohorts making greater use of these devices. Use of tablets showed less variance across age groups, ranging from 16 percent to 26 percent with greater use being made by older groups. Smartphones and computers are much more popular than tablets. This21% is perhaps21% surprising given the functional flexibility and utility of the tablet. Computer Smartphone Tablet

Fig. 36 Smartphone use for news by age Fig. 34 Smartphone use for news by age

Computer Smartphone 74% Tablet 69% 65% 61% 62% Fig. 34 Smartphone59% use for news by age

49% 50% 46% 74% Laptop/Computer 69% 41% 65% 61% 62% Smartphone 59% 26% Tablet 49% 23% 50% 18% 46% 16% 17% Laptop/Computer 41% Smartphone

26% Tablet 23% 18–24 25–34 35–44 45–5418% 55+ 16% 17%

WhichWhat devices devices do do you youuse when use accessing when the accessing news? news

18–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55+

Which devices do you use when accessing news

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 35 Where Devices are Used

Computers and laptops, smartphones and tablets are all popular for use in communal spaces in the home, but smartphones are used more frequently in personal spaces such as the bedroom. Smartphones are the dominant device for use when travelling and out and about. In terms of Fig. 35 Where devices are used weekly reach, computers and laptops are still the dominant devices, but 91% 92% this influence90% has been declining steadily.

Fig. 35 Where devices are used

91% 92% Fig. 37 Where72% devices are used 90% Fig. 35 Where devices are used 70% 91% 92% 65% 90%

72% 70% 48% 72% 65% 70% 65% 65% 36%

48% 28%

48% 22% 36% Laptop/Computer 28% 36% 9% 6% Smartphone 22% 28% Tablet 22% Home: communal Home: personal space Out & about At Laptop/Computerwork 9% 6% SmartphoneLaptop/Computer 9% where6% do you use these devices to access TabletSmartphone news? Home: communal Home: personal space Out & about At work Tablet

Home: communal Home: personal space Out & about At work where do you use these devices to access news?Fig. 36 Weekly reach by device where do you use these devices to access Fig. 38 Weeklynews? reach by device 100% 90% Fig. 36 Weekly reach by device 80% 70%Fig. 36 Weekly reach by device 100% 60% 90% Laptop/Computer 100% 50% 80% Smartphone 90% 40% 70% Tablet 80% 30% 60% 70% 20% Laptop/Computer 50%60% 10% SmartphoneLaptop/Computer 40% 50% 0% TabletSmartphone 30%40% 2015 2016 2017 Tablet 20%30% 10%20% 36 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 10%0% 2015 2016 2017 0% 2015 2016 2017 2.3 Conclusion

Legacy media are more popular with older groups. There is a huge difference in uptake of TV, radio and newspapers between older and younger cohorts, the latter relying far more on social media. As a source of news, social media is more popular among women than men. The use of computers, smartphones and tablets to access news declined in the period under review in an environment in which multi-device usage is common. Older groups favour computers and tablets whereas younger consumers prefer smartphones.

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 37 Section Three News Preferences and Trust

Irish news consumers’ preferences, attitudes and trust are examined here. The consumer’s interest in different types of news is outlined in addition to the platforms and formats that lead the daily agenda. Levels of trust in news are also described.

38 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 3.1 News Categories

Interest in News Categories

Most categories of news offered by content providers experienced a decline in consumer interest in the period under review. This downturn may indicate that news organizations need to rethink their news menus for today's audiences given the vast array of topics readily available in the global digital news environment. Of particular note is the 5 percent decline in interest in sport and 4 percent declines in international and political news. These last two are noteworthy as both the US presidential election campaign and the Irish general election campaign took place in 2016. Even larger falls in interest in crime, health and business news merit scrutiny.

The differences in interest levels in various types of news from 2016 to 2017 were: Regional -6 percent; International -4 percent; Crime etc. -9 percent; Health etc. -9 percent; Science etc. +1 percent; Political -4 percent; Lifestyle -2 percent; Business etc. -8 percent; Sport -5 percent; Arts -6 percent; Entertainment -2 percent.

More consumers were not interested in some news categories than were interested. Indeed, 44 percent were not interested in celebrity and entertainment news, 42 percent were not interested in sports news and 37 percent were not interested in arts and culture news. Business news interested 34 percent but failed to interest 29 percent. Political news interested 41 percent whereas it failed to interest 26 percent.

Fig. 39 Interest in news categories

Enter- Crime Health Science Business Weird Regional, Interna- Arts and tainment Justice, and Edu- and Political Lifestyle and Sports and Town, or tional Culture and and cational Technology News News Economic News Funny City News News News Celebrity Security News News News News News

Interested 64% 60% 51% 48% 47% 41% 35% 34% 34% 31% 25% 23%

Not Interested 7% 7% 12% 13% 16% 26% 25% 29% 42% 25% 37% 44%

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 39 68% 65% 63% 62% 62% Interest in News Categories by 58% 57% 56% Age and Gender 54% 54% 54% 52% 50% 49% 49% Examining49% interest in these news areas by consumer age cohort and 48% 48% 47% 47%

gender is worthwhile. In general, the harder the news 46% the greater the level

of interest from43% older consumers. Apparently, the older the audience the 42% 40% 40% 40%

more serious it becomes. These figures may also indicate that dumbing40%

down news may not be a 37% wise strategy for Irish news providers. See, for 36% 35% 34% 33% example, the relatively low levels of 33% interest33% in entertainment news across 33% 33%

audience age and gender categories. 31% 30% 29% 28% 26% News providers might also reconsider their menu offerings in the areas 26% 24% 23%

of business and sport where female interest levels are much lower than 22% 20% male. Is it wise to allocate so much of the available news space to these 20% areas given the lack of appetite among the female audience? In addition, 18% it is sometimes suggested that entertainment and arts news is aimed more at a female than a male audience. Given that these areas interest just 26 percent of women, do such assumptions about content need to be reexamined?

Fig. 40 Interest in news categories by age and gender

news news news news 68%

Weird &

65% Business & Sports news funny news or city news International Political news Lifestyle news

63% Arts & culture security news celebrity news 62% Regional, town 62% Crime, justice & economic news Entertainment &

Health & education

58% Science & technology 57% 56% Interested (under 35) 54% 54% 54% Interested (over 35) 49% 52% Interested (male) 50% 49% 49% 49% 46%

48% Interested (female) 48% 47% 47% 46% 43% 43% 43% 41% 41% 40% 46% 46% 40% 42% 39% 39% 40% 40% 40% 40% 37% 36% 36% 36% 37% 36% 35% 35% 34% 33% 33% 33% 33% 33% 33% 32% 32% 31% 31% 31% 31% 30% 30% 29% 29% 29% 28% 28% 28% 27% 26% 26% 26% 26% 26% 24% 23% 23% 22% 23% 23% 22% 22% 20% 21% 21% 20% 21% 21% 20% 18% 19% 18% 17% 17% 15% 15%

news news news news

Weird &

Business & Sports news funny news or city news International Political news Lifestyle news news news Arts & culture Regional, town news security news news celebrity news Crime, justice & economic news Entertainment & Weird &

Health & education Business &

Science & technology Sports news Lifestyle news funny news or city news International Political news Arts & culture Regional, town security news celebrity news Crime, justice & economic news InterestedEntertainment & (under 35) Which types of news are you interested in? Health & education Interested (over 35) 49% Dublin Science & technology Rest of LeinsterInterested (male) 46% Munster Interested (female)

4043% 43% Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & BroadcastingConnaught Authority & Part of Irelandof Ulster 41% 41% 40% 46% 46% 40% 39% 39% 37% 36% 36% 36% 35% 33% 32% 32% 31% 31% 31% 30% 29% 29% 28% 28% 27% 26% 26% 26% 23% 23% 23% 22% 22% 21% 21% 21% 21% 20% 19% 18% 17% 17% 15% 15%

news news news news

Weird &

Business & Sports news Lifestyle news funny news or city news International Political news Arts & culture Regional, town security news celebrity news Crime, justice & economic news Entertainment &

Health & education Dublin Science & technology Rest of Leinster Munster Connaught & Part of Ulster 68% 65% 63% 62% 62% 58% 57% 56% 54% 54% 54% 52% 50% 49% 49% 49% 48% 48% 47% 47% 46% 43% 42% 40% 40% 40% 40% 37% 36% 35% 34% 33% 33% 33% 33% 33% 31% 30% 29% 28% 26% 26% 24% 23% 22% 20% 20% 18%

news news news news

68% Weird &

Business & Sports news

65% funny news or city news International Political news Lifestyle news Arts & culture Regional, town security news celebrity news Crime, justice & 63% economic news Entertainment & 62% 62%

Health & education

Science & technology 58% 57%

56% Interested (under 35) 54% 54% 54% Interested (over 35) 49%

52% Interested (male) 50% 46% Interested (female) 49% 49% 49% 48% 48% 47% 47% 43% 43% 46% 41% 41% Interest in News Categories by Region 40% 40% 46% 46% 43% 39% 39% 42% 40% 40% 40% 37% 40% 36% 36% Munster36% news consumers were most interested in international, health, 35% 37% 36% 35% education, crime, security,33% political, weird and entertainment news. The 34% 32% 32% 33% 33% 33% 33% 33% 31% 31% 31% 30%

interest levels of news consumers in Dublin and the Rest of Leinster 31% 29% 29% 30% 28% 29% 28%

were very similar across all categories. Their27% news interest peaked, at 43 28% 26% 26% 26% 26% percent, on region, city and town news. 26% 24% 23% 23% 23% 23% 22% 22% 22% 21% 21% 21% 21% 20% 20% 20%

Interest in business was strongest in Dublin while interest in sports, arts and19% 18% 18%

culture news was highest in Connaught and Part of Ulster. The category of 17% 17%

news which garnered least interest by far throughout the country, at 16 15% 15% percent, was entertainment and celebrity news. This begs the question as to why news gatekeepers use so much of it. Feeding consumers what they don't want is not a sustainable strategy, even if the material is cheap to source, occasionally cheerful to read and sometimes salacious.

news news news news

Weird &

Business &

news Sports news news funny news or city news Internationalnews Political news news Lifestyle news Arts & culture Regional, town security news celebrity news Crime, justice & economic news Weird & Entertainment &

Business &

Health & education Sports news Lifestyle news funny news or city news International Fig. 41 InterestPolitical news in news categories by region Science & technology Arts & culture Regional, town security news celebrity news Crime, justice & economic news InterestedEntertainment (under & 35) Health & education Dublin Science & technology Interested (over 35) 49% Rest of LeinsterInterested (male)

46% MunsterInterested (female) Connaught & Part of Ulster 43% 43% 41% 41% 40% 40% 46% 46% 39% 39% 37% 36% 36% 36% 35% 33% 32% 32% 31% 31% 31% 30% 29% 29% 28% 28% 27% 26% 26% 26% 23% 23% 23% 22% 22% 21% 21% 21% 21% 20% 19% 18% 17% 17% 15% 15%

news news news news

Weird &

Business & Sports news Lifestyle news funny news or city news International Political news Arts & culture Regional, town security news celebrity news Crime, justice & economic news Entertainment &

Health & education Dublin Science & technology Rest of Leinster Munster What types of news are you interested in? Connaught & Part of Ulster

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 41 3.2 Trust in News Trust in News

As in the two previous years, more news consumers agreed in 2017 that most news can be trusted most of the time than the reverse assertion. Slightly over a quarter of those surveyed distrusted the news, with a similar percentage remaining neutral on the issue. Almost half trusted the news. This figure increases slightly when consumers are asked specifically asked about trust in the news they consume. This perhaps suggests that the publicity about fake news in the period under review did not impact Irish news consumers in a major way.

Fig. 42 Trust in news 2015-2017

46% 42% 42%

29% 27% 24% 24% 20% 16%

6% 6% 4% 4% 5% 5% 2015 2016 2017

Strongly Agree Tend to Neither Agree Tend to Strongly Disagree Agree nor Disagree Disagree

Do you agree with the statement ‘I think you can trust most news most of the time’?

Trust in news audiences consume 2017

Strongly Agree Tend to Neither Agree Tend to Strongly Disagree Agree nor Disagree Disagree 42 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Trust and Perceptions of Influence

Ireland's news consumers have higher levels of trust in the news media than the international average. Some 43 percent of Irish consumers agree that social media does a good job distinguishing fact from fiction, compared to an international average of 37 percent. And more Irish news consumers believe Irish news is free of undue commercial and political influence than the international average. Some 72 percent of Irish news consumers trust most of the news they receive most of the time and 70 percent say the news industry does a good job helping them distinguish fact from fiction.

Fig. 43Irish Irish and and International international Perceptions perceptions of Trust of trust

71% Trust most of the news I consume most of the time 72%

62% Trust most news most of the time 64%

62% News media does a good job in helping me distinguish fact from ﬁction 70%

37% News media in my country is independent from undue business or commercial inﬂuence most of the time 46%

37% New media in my country is independent from undue 47% political or government inﬂucence most of the time

37% Social media does a good job in helping me distinguish fact from ﬁction 43%

International Ireland

Trust in News by Age

56% 53%

43%

33% 34%

18-24 25-34 35-44 45-44 55+ Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 43 Trust in News by Brand

Considering trust in terms of the most frequently used news sources, the online version of the Irish Examiner newspaper was trusted by 68 percent of consumers and TV3 News was trusted by 61 percent of consumers. These brands were followed by RTÉ TV News, RTÉ News Online and local radio news at 57 percent.

Fig. 44 Trust by most frequently used brands

Main Source Used % Agree

RTE TV News 57%

Main Source Used % Agree Main Source Used % Agree

Irish Daily Sun Online 68% Other UK daily or Sunday paper 38% Irish Examiner Online 68% Irish Daily Star Online 38% Irish Examiner 65% Buzzfeed News 36% Evening Herald Online 64% Other online sites from outside Ireland 35% Irish Daily Mirror 64% Hufﬁngton Post 33% Irish Mirror Online 63% New York Times online 31% 44 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Irish Daily Star 63% Other 26% TV3 News 61% Vice News 19% Irish Daily Sun 60% Freesheet (eg Metro) 18% Any Community Radio News 59% Main Source Used % Agree

RTE TV News 57%

RTE Radio News 56% Sky News 52% TheJournal.ie 48% RTE News Online 57% Irish Independent Online 55% BBC News 47% Irish Independent 55% The Irish Times Online 53% Today FM 50% Any local radio news 57% TV3 News 61% Irish Times 52% Newstalk 50% BreakingNews.ie 52% BBC News Online 41% Sky News Online 46% Trust in NewsYahoo! News by Brand (continued)45% Irish Examiner Online 68% The variance in trust displayed by consumers in news brands is of note. Consumers of theHer.ie/Joe.ie online versions of the Irish Daily Sun and Irish45% Examiner are the most trusting at 68 percent. Community radio also scores highly for consumer trust at 59 percent.

Fig. 45 Most trusted brands by brand consumers

IrishMain and Source International Used Perceptions% Agree of Trust Main Source Used % Agree

Irish Daily Sun Online 68% Other UK daily or Sunday paper 38% 71% Trust most of the news I consume most of the time Irish Examiner Online 68% Irish Daily72% Star Online 38% Irish Examiner 65% Buzzfeed News 36% 62% Trust most news most of the time Evening Herald Online 64% Other online sites from outside Ireland 35% 64% Irish Daily Mirror 64% Huffington Post 33% Irish Mirror Online 63% 62% New York Times online 31% News media does a good job in helping me distinguish fact from fiction Irish Daily Star 63% Other70% 26% TV3 News 61% Vice News 19% 37% News media in my country is independent from undue Irish Daily Sun 60% Freesheet (eg Metro) 18% business or commercial influence most of the time 46% Any Community Radio News 59% 37% New media in my country is independent from undue 47% political or government influcence most of the time

37% Social media does aFactors good job in helping Influencing Trust me distinguish fact from ﬁction 43% Age is a significant factor in trust. The older the consumer the more they tend to trust the news. Thus,International only 33 percentIreland of 18-24 year olds do so, compared with 56 percent of those aged over 55.

Trust in News by Age Fig. 46 Trust in news by age

56% 53%

43%

33% 34%

18-24 25-34 35-44 45-44 55+

Do you agree with the statement ‘I think you ocan trust most news most of the time’?

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 45 3.3 Conclusion

Consumer interest in many categories of news declined. Some 44 percent of consumers indicated they were not interested in celebrity and entertainment news. And 42 percent were not interested in sports news. With just 16 percent interested in celebrity and entertainment news, the dumbing down of news as a marketing strategy needs to be questioned. Female interest levels in business and sports news is much lower than male. The harder the news the greater the level of interest from older consumers. Irish consumers have higher levels of trust in news than the international average. Almost half of Irish news consumers trust most of the news most of the time.

46 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Section Four News Brands

Irish readers' engagement with traditional and digital news brands is examined here. Consumers’ use of different brands over a week and their favoured news brands are revealed. The age profile of those engaging with Ireland’s top news brands is outlined as well as their combined reach across platforms. With news increasingly consumed on social media, brand awareness on social media is also studied.

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 47 4.1 Main Sources of News

Sources of News

A breakdown of the sources of traditional news used in Ireland in 2017 shows that the country roughly mirrors the international average, with one notable exception. That is the relative dominance of the public service broadcaster, RTÉ. Some 66 percent of respondents indicated they use RTÉ as a main source of traditional news compared to an international average of 49 percent. This RTÉ dominance continued through its online news offering where it registered 34 percent compared to an international average of 20 percent.

Fig. 47 Main sources of news 2017

Print 70% 70%

A regional or local newspaper 17% 13% 49% Public Broadcaster 66%

80% Non-Public Broadcaster 75%

Online version of traditional newspaper/magazine brand 66% 60%

20% Online version of public broadcaster 34%

Online version of non-public broadcaster 46% 39%

Digital born/digital ﬁrst brand 60% 61%

International Ireland

TV/Radio/Print Online

RTÉ TV News 52% TheJournal.ie 32% Sky News 34% RTÉ News Online 31% BBC News 30% Irish Independent Online 30% RTÉ Radio News (Radio 1, 2FM, etc) 29% The Irish Times Online 23% Irish Independent 26% BreakingNews.ie 19% TV3 News 23% BBC News Online 16% Irish Times 20% Sky News Online 14% 48 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Today FM 20% Yahoo! News 12% Any local radio news (eg 98 FM) 19% Her.ie/Joe.ie 11% Newstalk 18% Irish Examiner online 10% Sunday Independent 16% Huffington Post 10% Local or regional newspaper 13% MSN News 9% ITV or Channel 4 News 11% Local radio news online (eg 98FM) 8% CNN 11% Guardian Online 8% The Sunday Times 10% Mail Online 8% Irish Examiner 9% Buzzfeed news 7% Irish Daily Mail 9% CNN.com 7% Irish Daily Sun 7% Irish Mirror Online 6% UTV 7% Local or regional newspaper 6% Irish Daily Mirror 7% Newstalk Online 6% Print 70% 70%

A regional or local newspaper 17% 13% 49% Public Broadcaster 66%

80% Non-Public Broadcaster 75%

Online version of traditional newspaper/magazine brand 66% 60%

20% Online version of public broadcaster 34%

Online version of non-public broadcaster 46% 39%

Digital born/digital ﬁrst brand 60% 61%

International Ireland

Fig. 48 Main sources of news – traditional and online 2017

TV/Radio/Print Online

RTÉ TV News 52% TheJournal.ie 32% Sky News 34% RTÉ News Online 31% BBC News 30% Irish Independent Online 30% RTÉ Radio News (Radio 1, 2FM, etc) 29% The Irish Times Online 23% Irish Independent 26% BreakingNews.ie 19% TV3 News 23% BBC News Online 16% Irish Times 20% Sky News Online 14% Today FM 20% Yahoo! News 12% Any local radio news (eg 98 FM) 19% Her.ie/Joe.ie 11% Newstalk 18% Irish Examiner online 10% Sunday Independent 16% Huffington Post 10% Local or regional newspaper 13% MSN News 9% ITV or Channel 4 News 11% Local radio news online (eg 98FM) 8% CNN 11% Guardian Online 8% The Sunday Times 10% Mail Online 8% Irish Examiner 9% Buzzfeed news 7% Irish Daily Mail 9% CNN.com 7% Irish Daily Sun 7% Irish Mirror Online 6% UTV 7% Local or regional newspaper 6% Irish Daily Mirror 7% Newstalk Online 6%

Fig. 49 Average number of news sources used 2016-2017

4.1% 3.7% 3.7% 3.5%

Traditional Sources Online Sources

2016 2017

52% RTÉ News (TV) 51% Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 34% 49 Sky News (TV) 32% 30% BBC News (TV) 30% 29% RTÉ Radio News (Radio 1, 2 FM etc) (Radio) 30% 26% Irish Independent (Print) 25% 23% TV3 News (TV) 24% 20% Irish Times (Print) 21% 20% Today FM (Radio) 20% 19% Any local radio news (eg 98 FM)(Radio) 21% 18% Newstalk (Radio) 20% Sunday Independent (Print) 16% 16% 13% Local or regional newspaper 14% 11% ITV or Channel 4 News (TV) 11% 11% CNN (TV) 8% The Sunday Times (Print) 10% 10% 9% Irish Examiner (Print) 8% 9% Irish Daily Mail (Print) 8% 7% Irish Daily Sun (Print) 6% 7% UTV (TV) 13% 7% Irish Daily Mirror (Print) 7% 7% Any community radio news 6% 6% Sunday World (Print) 7% 5% Irish Daily Star (Print) 5% 4% The Sunday Business Post (Print) 0% 3% TG4 Nuacht (News) (TV) 5%

2016 2017 4.1% 3.7% 3.7% Traditional Sources3.5% of News

The three main sources of traditional news in 2017 were all in TV: RTÉ at 52 percent, Sky News at 34 percent and BBC News at 30 percent. The top three newspapers were the Irish Independent at 26 percent, The Irish Times at 20 percent and the Sunday Independent at 16 percent. Changes fromTraditional 2016 were, Sources in general,Online Sourcesminimal and typically ranged circa +/- one percentage point. 2016 2017

Fig. 50 Main sources of news by traditional brands 2016-2017

52% RTÉ News (TV) 51% 34% Sky News (TV) 32% 30% BBC News (TV) 30% 29% RTÉ Radio News (Radio 1, 2 FM etc) (Radio) 30% 26% Irish Independent (Print) 25% 23% TV3 News (TV) 24% 20% Irish Times (Print) 21% 20% Today FM (Radio) 20% 19% Any local radio news (eg 98 FM)(Radio) 21% 18% Newstalk (Radio) 20% Sunday Independent (Print) 16% 16% 13% Local or regional newspaper 14% 11% ITV or Channel 4 News (TV) 11% 11% CNN (TV) 8% The Sunday Times (Print) 10% 10% 9% Irish Examiner (Print) 8% 9% Irish Daily Mail (Print) 8% 7% Irish Daily Sun (Print) 6% 7% UTV (TV) 13% 7% Irish Daily Mirror (Print) 7% 7% Any community radio news 6% 6% Sunday World (Print) 7% 5% Irish Daily Star (Print) 5% 4% The Sunday Business Post (Print) 0% 3% TG4 Nuacht (News) (TV) 5%

2016 2017

50 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Digital Sources of News

TheJournal.ie, Irish Independent Online and RTÉ News Online jointly led the table here, each on 19 percentage points. This is a seven percentage point increase for TheJournal.ie and Irish Independent Online and a two point improvement for RTÉ. The Irish Times Online, in fourth place, saw a seven percentage point increase. These figures paint a picture of growth in digital brands, perhaps indicating that consumers are relying more on a single favoured online brand rather than, as in the past, looking to a number of brands. Where figures were gathered for both 2016 and 2017, all news brands showed healthy increases.

Fig. 51 Main sources of news by digital brands 2016-2017

TheJournal.ie 19% 12% Irish Independent Online 19% 12% RTÉ News Online 19% 17% The Irish Times Online 13% 6% 10% BreakingNews.ie 5% BBC News Online 10% 5% 8% Sky News Online 5% 7% Yahoo! News 4% Irish Examiner Online 6% 6% Her.ie/Joe.ie 3% 5% MSN News 3% Guardian Online 5% 5% Any local radio news online (eg 98FM) 3%

Mail Online 4%

Hufﬁngton Post 4%

CNN.com 4%

Buzzfeed News 3%

TV3 News Online 3%

Irish Mirror Online 2%

dailyedge.ie/The42/Fora.ie 2%

Local or regional newspaper online (eg The Kerryman) 2%

Newstalk Online 2%

New York Times Online 2%

2016 2017

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 51 Traditional Sources of News

The national public service broadcaster, RTÉ, was the news brand most used by consumers in 2017. For RTÉ TV News, the results across the five age categories surveyed ranged from 16 percent in the 18-24 age group to 59 percent in the 55+ group. This service is used far more by the two oldest age groups than the three younger ones. A similar pattern is evident for RTÉ Radio News but far fewer consumers use it compared to its sister TV service.

TheJournal.ie is, at 17 percent, the most popular news brand in the 18-24 age group. RTÉ TV occupies second place at 16 percent. Her.ie/Joe.ie is the third most popular in this age group at 15 percent. In the 25-34 age category, TheJournal.ie shares the top spot with RTÉ TV News, each at 18 percent. Third place is shared by Irish Independent Online, BBC News and Today FM, all at 14 percent.

The 35-44 age group is topped by RTÉ TV News at 28 percent with second place shared by Sky News, TheJournal.ie and the Irish Independent Online, all at 21 percent.

RTÉ TV News tops the 45-54 age group by a considerable distance at 44 percent, followed by RTÉ News Online at 25 percent and Sky News at 24 percent. The legacy broadcast sector is particularly strong in the 55+ age group with RTÉ TV News on top at 59 percent, followed by RTÉ Radio News at 37 percent, BBC News at 28 percent, with Sky News and RTÉ News Online both on 26 percent.

In general, the older the audience the more loyal it tends to be to legacy media. This finding should be of concern to those in legacy media responsible for building audience share. All newspapers on the list attract highest usage, as sources of news, from the oldest 55+ cohort. For example, The Irish Times attracts the five age groups as follows: 55+ [15 percent]; 45-54 [8 percent]; 35-44 [8 percent]; 25-34 [10 percent]; 18-24 [7 percent]. It should be remembered that the 55+ category potentially covers three or four decades in the life of the consumer, whereas each of the others accounts for a single decade or less.

52 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Fig. 52 News brands by age group 2017

18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+ RTÉ TV News 16% 18% 28% 44% 59% RTÉ Radio News (RTÉ Radio 1, 2FM, etc.) 9% 9% 13% 20% 37% Sky News 12% 12% 21% 24% 26% TheJournal.ie 17% 18% 21% 19% 20% Irish Independent online 10% 14% 21% 22% 24% RTE News Online 7% 11% 18% 25% 26% BBC News 6% 14% 11% 19% 28% Irish Independent 8% 10% 13% 12% 19% The Irish Times Online 5% 11% 14% 11% 17% Today FM 7% 14% 17% 16% 7% Any local radio news (e.g. 98 FM) 10% 7% 11% 12% 16% TV3 News 5% 5% 9% 18% 16% Irish Times 7% 10% 8% 8% 15% Newstalk 4% 7% 10% 11% 14% BreakingNews.ie 3% 6% 10% 15% 12% BBC News Online 5% 11% 10% 11% 10% Sky News Online 8% 6% 9% 14% 6% Yahoo! News 5% 6% 9% 8% 6% Irish Examiner Online 2% 5% 4% 10% 7% Her.ie/ Joe.ie 15% 10% 6% 3% 1% MSN News 3% 4% 7% 7% 5% CNN 3% 5% 6% 4% 7% ITV or Channel 4 News 0% 2% 3% 8% 8% Guardian Online 2% 7% 6% 4% 4% Any local radio news online (e.g. 98 FM) 2% 2% 3% 7% 7% Irish Examiner 1% 2% 3% 6% 7% Mail Online 6% 2% 5% 4% 4% Irish Daily Mail 4% 2% 3% 3% 6% Hufﬁngton Post 6% 3% 4% 4% 3% CNN.com 3% 4% 5% 3% 3% Sunday Independent 2% 2% 2% 3% 6% BuzzFeed News 11% 5% 3% 1% 1% TV3 News Online 4% 3% 4% 3% 2% None of these in the past week (Online) 14% 13% 12% 11% 17% None of these in the past week (Traditional) 17% 14% 8% 3% 3%

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 53 RTÉ is the clear leader in the TV brands group where it comfortably tops all five age groups. While RTÉ also heads the Radio Brands group, it does not have the same dominance in this arena. Indeed, Today FM tops two of the five groups. RTÉ Radio News has a strong lead in the 55+ group at 37 percent compared to just 7 percent for Today FM.

Fig. 53 Television brands by age group 2017

18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+ Television RTÉ TV News 18-216%4 25-318%4 35-4428% 45-5444% 55+59% TelevisionSky News 12% 12% 21% 24% 26% RTBBCÉ TVNews News 16%6% 14%18% 11%28% 19%44% 28%59% SkyTV3 NewsNews 12%5% 12%5% 21%9% 18%24% 16%26% BBCCNN News 6%3% 14%5% 11%6% 19%4% 28%7% TV3ITV or News Channel 4 News 0%5% 5%2% 3%9% 18%8% 16%8% CNN 3% 5% 6% 4% 7% )ITV*+, )or>B ChannelC;,./01,D 4) *News+,)>BC;,!E,$FGE,/HIJK 0% 2% 3% 8% 8%

)L*?+6,),>@B;CI>;@,./,0<1>,BDC)*;,+?,/)0>B1C,D;,/!JEM,$JF,3"GE,F,/GHEI,J)K>BC;,N/<<6E,GCB,O/1H,)>BC;E,PCM=@>?B,)>BC;K Fig.18 54-2 Radio4 brands25- 3by4 age group35 -201744 45-54 55+ TelevisionRadioL?6,@;I>@,<>BC;,?/01,D/JMJ,3",FGE,)>BC;,N/<<6E,GCB,O/1H,)>BC;E,PCM=@>?B,)>BC;K RTÉ TVRadio News News (Radio 1, 2 FM etc) 18-216%49% 25-318%49% 35-4428%13% 45-5420%44% 55+37%59% RadioSkyToday News FM 12%7% 12%14% 21%17% 16%24% 26%7% RTBBCAnyÉ localRadioNews radio News news (Radio (eg 1, 98FM) 2 FM etc) 10%9%6% 14%9%7% 13%11% 20%12%19% 28%16%37% TodayTV3Newstalk News FM 7%5%4% 14%5%7% 17%10%9% 16%11%18% 16%14%7% AnyCNN local radio news (eg 98FM) 10%3% 7%5% 11%6% 12%4% 16%7% NewstalkITV or Channel 4 News 4%0% 7%2% 10%3% 11%8% 14%8%

)*+,)>BC;,./01,D)*+,)>BC;,!E,$FGE,/HIJK 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+ Newpaper L?6,@;I>@,<>BC;,?/01,D/JMJ,3",FGE,)>BC;,N/<<6E,GCB,O/1H,)>BC;E,PCM=@>?B,)>BC;K Irish Independent 18-248% 25-310%4 35-4413% 45-5412% 55+19% 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+ NewpaperThe Irish Times The Irish Independent heads7% the Newspaper10% Brands Group8% where it has a 8% 15% Radio Irish ExaminerIndependent 8%1% 10%2% 13%3% 12%6% 19%7% RTÉ Radio News (Radiosmall 1,lead 2 FM over etc) The Irish Times,9% with other 9%titles some distance13% behind the20% 37% TheIrish Daily Irish MailTimes 7%4% 10%2% 8%3% 8%3% 15%6% Today FM lead pair. 7% 14% 17% 16% 7% IrishSunday Examiner Independent 1%2% 2% 3% 6%3% 7%6% Any local radio news (eg 98FM) 10% 7% 11% 12% 16% Irish Daily Mail 4% 2% 3% 3% 6% Newstalk 4% 7% 10% 11% 14% Sunday)*+%' Independent 2% 2% 3% 3% 6% 3 3 !' $A '9 Fig. 55 Newspaper brands by age group 2017 *)*;+B>%6',FG 9 !% !9 !2 9 !A3 39 !'! $!$A '!92 *./;0B1>6H,>F@G 5 18-24 18-24 9% 25-3425-34 !%9 3535-44-44 !9A 45-545-544 !2! 55+ 55+!%9 ,(#%(" TheJournal.ieNewpaper 17% !A 18% 9 21%!! 1!$9% !2 20% Q;R@JC/ !9 !" $! !3 $A Irish Independ.Irish/e0n1t HIndependent o>n@lin5e 18-2410% % 25-3414% 9 35-4421%!A 45-542!!2% 55+!% 24% :@JC/ !9 !" $! !3 $A ITherish Irndishe pTeimnd:e5C?M./01JC/ 3%7% ' 16%1% 2 10%8%!A 12!&5% !$ 122%6% )Sunday*+,./01 Independent,;?@C?/ 2%9 2%!! 3%!" 3%$& 6%$2 BB TheC NIreiswh sT Oimn77:eli5' C?M./01JC/ 8%3% ' 6% 2 19%0%!A 1!&4%5% !$ 16%2% U>=;;V,./01 & 2 3 " 2 YBBahCoo Ne! wNse wOsn77lin8e,./01,;?@C?/ 5% &3 16%1% !!3 19%0%!A' 1!$!A8%1% !'9A 16%0% 4:<5C61,.=/,0+1W,;?>@CTC??//<,;?@C?/ "$ 2& 3% !%A 29 ISrkisyh N Eexwams iOnneli*r ;nOBen>li6n,FeG 2%8% 9 5%6% !% 4%9%!9 1!20%4% 9 7%6% UP/><=J;;CV/X,.,/Y0;1/JC/ !&& !A2 32 "' 2! HYaehr.ooie/! JNoeew.iseG4.,./01 15% !A' 16%0% %9 6%9%!!9 !$98%3% !2& 6%1% :.,+@W5>TC?/<,;?@C?/ 18-24 $% 25-34 &9 35-44 !A% 45-54!A! 55+!%9 MIriSshN E NxeawmsineZr RO>n?,;?@C?/ 3%2% $ 4%5% 9 7%4% 2 1%7%0% % 5%7% P,(/#%@JC/ !9 7% !" 6%$! !34% $A 4% Irish IndependZeRn>t< oBnCli>n?e,;?@C?/ 10% $ 14% 9 21% 2 2%2% %24% AMnSyN l oNceawl rsadi:o< nCe1w=,s: ?Bon/liSn/?Be (/e?gH 98,;?@C FM?)/ 2%3% !A 2%4% !% 3%7%$! $$7% $% 7%5% MGRTuaÉail rN dOienawlinn sO eOnnli)lin*ne+e,./01,;?@C?/ 6%2%7% 9 12%7%1% !! 15%6%8%!" 2$&4%5% $2 24%6% HA Thenuyffi lIonricgsatohl rTnai dmPio:e5C?M./01JC/ 16%3%1% ' 2%6%5% 2 13%5%0%!A 1!&4%5%1% !$ 14%2%1% 778,./01,;?@C?/ & !! !A !! !A CHBBNuCfNfi N.nceogwmtosn O Pnolisnte 3%6%5% 14%3%1% 15%4%0% 13%4%1% 13%0% 456,./01,;?@C?/ " 2 3 !% 2 Sky News Online 18%1% 6% 9% 14% 6% BuzzFeed NewU>s=;;V,./01 & 5% 2 3% 3 "1% 2 1% 5% CYNahNoo.c!o Nmews:TC?/<,;?@C?/ 3% $ 4%6% & 5%9% % !A3%8% 9 3%6% Irish ExaminePr /O?,;?@C?/ 3% $ 4% 9 7% 2 %7% % 5% Guardian Online 2% 7% 6% 4% 4% Any local radio news online (eg 98 FM) 2% 2% 3% 7% 7% Mail Online 6% 2% 5% 4% 4% Huffington Post 6% 3% 4% 4% 3% BuzzFeed News 11% 5% 3% 1% 1% CNN.com 3% 4% 5% 3% 3% 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+ Television RTÉ TV News 16% 18% 28% 44% 59% Sky News 12% 12% 21% 24% 26% BBC News 6% 14% 11% 19% 28% TV3 News 5% 5% 9% 18% 16% CNN 3% 5% 6% 4% 7% ITV or Channel 4 News 0% 2% 3% 8% 8%

~~)*+,)>BC;,./01,D)*+,)>BC;,!E,$FGE,/HIJK~~

L?6,@;I>@,<>BC;,?/01,D/JMJ,3",FGE,)>BC;,N/<<6E,GCB,O/1H,)>BC;E,PCM=@>?B,)>BC;K 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+ Radio RTÉ Radio News (Radio 1, 2 FM etc) 9% 9% 13% 20% 37% Today FM 7% 14% 17% 16% 7% Any local radio news (eg 98FM) 10% 7% 11% 12% 16% Newstalk The Online News Brands group4% is headed by7% TheJournal.ie 10%with the Irish 11% 14% Independent Online second and RTÉ News Online third. In the 18-24 age group, TheJournal.ie tops the list at 17 percent, followed by Her.ie/Joe.ie at 15 percent with Buzzfeed News next at 11 percent and the Irish Independent Online one point lower.18 In- the24 55+ category,25-34 RTÉ News35 Online-44 tops the45 list-54 55+ Newpaper at 26 percent, with the Irish Independent Online second at 24 percent and Irish IndependentTheJournal.ie third at 20 percent.8% The Irish10% Times Online comes13% next at 1712% 19% The Irish Timespercent, its strongest showing7% across the various10% age categories.8% 8% 15% Irish Examiner 1% 2% 3% 6% 7% Irish Daily Mail 4% 2% 3% 3% 6% Sunday Independent 2% 2% 3% 3% 6%

)*+%' Fig. 56 Online brands by age group 2017 3 3 !' $A '9 *;B>6,FG 9 !% !9 !2 9 !A 9 !! !$ !2 ./01H>@5 18-24 % 25-34 9 35-44 !A 45-54!! 55+!% ,(#%(" TheJournal.ie 17% 18% 21% 19% 20% Q;R@JC/ !9 !" $! !3 $A Irish Independent online 10% 14% 21% 22% 24% :5C?M./01JC/ 3% ' 6% 2 10%!A 1!&5% !$ 12% BBC News On77lin8e,./01,;?@C?/ 5% & 11% !! 10%!A 1!!1% !A 10% 456,./01,;?@C?/ " 2 3 !% 2 Sky News Online 8% 6% 9% 14% 6% U>=;;V,./01 & 2 3 " 2 5% Yahoo! News:TC?/<,;?@C?/ $ 6% & 9% % !A8% 9 6% Irish ExaminePr /O?,;?@C?/ 3% $ 4% 9 7% 2 %7% % 5% Guardian Online 2% 7% 6% 4% 4% Any local radio news online (eg 98 FM) 2% 2% 3% 7% 7% Mail Online 6% 2% 5% 4% 4% Hufﬁngton Post 6% 3% 4% 4% 3% BuzzFeed News 11% 5% 3% 1% 1% CNN.com 3% 4% 5% 3% 3%

~~Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 55 4.2 Digital Sources of News Digital Brands~~

Engagement with digital brands mostly declined in 2017. The top three online news sites accessed were: TheJournal.ie at 32 percent [-2 percent]; RTÉ News Online at 31 percent [-11 percent]; and Irish Independent Online at 30 percent [-6 percent]. The Sunday Times Online access fell three percentage points from 6 percent to 3 percent. The results indicate that the previously dominant position of RTÉ is eroding.

~~Fig. 57 Digital brands accessed 2016-2017~~

32% TheJournal.ie 34% 32% TheJournal.ie 31% 34% RTÉ News Online 31% 42% RTÉ News Online 30% 42% Irish Independent Online 36% 30% Irish Independent Online 23% 36% The Irish Times Online 29% 23% The Irish Times Online 19% 29% BreakingNews.ie 24% 19% BreakingNews.ie 24% BBC News Online 16% BBC News Online 22 16% 14% 22 Sky News Online 19% 14% Sky News Online 12% 19% Yahoo! News 14% 12% Yahoo! News 11% 14% Her.ie/Joe.ie 16% 11% Her.ie/Joe.ie 10% 16% Irish Examiner Online 13% 10% Irish Examiner Online 10% 13% Hufﬁngton Post 11% 10% Hufﬁngton Post 9% 11% MSN News 11% 9% MSN News 11% Any local radio news online (e.g. 98FM) 8% Any local radio news online (e.g. 98FM) 15% 8% 8% 15% Guardian Online 10% 8% Guardian Online 10% Mail Online 8% Mail Online 11% 8% 7% 11% Buzzfeed news 10% 7% Buzzfeed news 10% CNN.com 7% CNN.com6% 7% 6% Irish Mirror online 6% 9% Irish Mirror online 6% 9% Local or regional newspaper online (e.g. The Kerryman) 6% Local or regional newspaper online (e.g. The Kerryman) 10% 6% Newstalk Online 6% 10% Newstalk Online7% 6% TV3 New Online 6% 7% TV3 New Online 8% 6% New York Times Online 5% 8% New York Times Online5% 5% Fora: DailyEdge.ie/The42/Fore.ie 5% 5% 5% Fora: DailyEdge.ie/The42/Fore.ie3% The Sunday Times Online 6% 3% The Sunday Times Online 6%

~~2016 2017 2016 2017~~

17% 21% 20% 22% 17% 21% 20% 22% Don't know/none of these 19% Don't know/none of these 19% 18% 22% 40% 18% 22% 40% Digital born/digital ﬁrst brand Digital born/digital ﬁrst brand (ie TheJournal.ie) 15% 12% 10% (ie TheJournal.ie) 15% 12% 10% Traditional brand that is the main publicly- 19% 18% 16% Traditional brand that is the main publicly- 19% 18% 16% 6% funded pubilc service broadcaster (RTÉ) 6% funded pubilc service broadcaster (RTÉ) 56 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 12% Traditional brand that has roots as a TV/ 12% Traditional brand that has roots as a TV/ Radio broadcaster (eg Sky News online) 30% 31% 32% 20% Radio broadcaster (eg Sky News online) 30% 31% 32% 20% Traditional brand that has roots as a Traditional brand that has roots as a newspaper/magazine (ie Irish Times online) Providing accurate Providing understanding Providing strong Providing amusement newspaper/magazine (ie Irish Times online) Providing accurate Providing understanding Providing strong Providing amusement & reliable news of complex issues viewpoints/opinions or entertainment & reliable news of complex issues viewpoints/opinions or entertainment Digital Preferences and Brand Attributes

Consumer preferences for digital brands provide interesting insights. For instance, the online offerings of legacy newspaper brands score best as sources of: (1) accurate and reliable news [30 percent]; (2) as aids to understanding complex issues [31 percent]; and (3) for providing strong viewpoints and opinions [32 percent]. Digital born brands score best for providing amusing or entertaining copy [40 percent]. This perhaps begs the question: do online legacy brands need to lighten up to attract younger better-educated audiences seeking amusing, stimulating and entertaining content in addition to a diet of intellectually stimulating serious news?

The top three online news providers for accurate and reliable news are The Irish Times [39 percent], RTÉ News [37 percent] and Irish Independent [26 percent]. For helping consumers understand complex issues, RTÉ News tops the list at 33 percent, with the Irish Independent second at 30 percent and The Irish Times third at 29 percent.

RTÉ News is again top for providing strong viewpoints and opinion at 35 percent, followed by the Irish Independent at 30 percent and TheJournal.ie at 27 percent. Her.ie/Joe.ie is best for providing amusing or entertaining news at 43 percent with TheJournal.ie second at 28 percent. RTÉ News [7 percent] and The Irish Times [13 percent] rank the lowest in this category, reinforcing their status as providers of serious news.

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 57 32% TheJournal.ie 34% 31% 32% RTÉ NewsTheJournal.ie Online 34% 42% RTÉ News Online 30%31% Irish Independent Online 36% 42% Irish Independent Online 23% 30% The Irish Times Online 29% 36% 19% 23% TheBreakingNews.ie Irish Times Online 24% 29% 19% BreakingNews.ie 16% 24% BBC News Online 22 14% 16% SkyBBC News News Online Online 19% 22 12% 14% Yahoo!Sky News News Online 14% 19% Yahoo! News 11% 12% Her.ie/Joe.ie 14%16% Her.ie/Joe.ie 10%11% Irish Examiner Online 13% 16% Irish Examiner Online 10% 10% Hufﬁngton Post 11% 13% Hufﬁngton Post 9% 10% MSN News 11%11% MSN News 8% 9% Any local radio news online (e.g. 98FM) 11%15% Any local radio news online (e.g. 98FM) 8% 8% Guardian Online 10% 15% Guardian Online 8% 8% Mail Online 11%10% Mail Online 7% 8% Buzzfeed news 10% 11% 7% BuzzfeedCNN.com news 7% 10% 6% CNN.com 7% Irish Mirror online 6% 6%9% Irish Mirror online 6% Local or regional newspaper online (e.g. The Kerryman) 6% 10%9% Local or regional newspaper online Newstalk(e.g. The Kerryman)Online 6% 6% 10% 7% Newstalk Online 6% 6% TV3 New Online 8%7% 6% New York TV3Times New Online Online 5% 8% 5% New York Times Online 5% Fora: DailyEdge.ie/The42/Fore.ie 5% 5% Fora:The DailyEdge.ie/The42/Fore.ie Sunday Times Online 3% 5% 3%6% The Sunday Times Online 6%

~~2016 2017 2016 2017~~

~~Fig. 58 Preferences for digital sources by consumer type 2017~~

17% 21% 20% 22% 17% 21% 20% 22% Don't know/none of these 19% Don't know/none of these 18% 22% 40% 19% Digital born/digital ﬁrst brand 18% 22% 40% (ie TheJournal.ie)Digital born/digital ﬁrst brand 15% 12% 10% 15% 12% (ie TheJournal.ie) 10% Traditional brand that is the main publicly- 19% 18% 16% fundedTraditional pubilc servicebrand that broadcaster is the main (RT publicly-É) 19% 18% 16% 6% 6% funded pubilc service broadcaster (RTÉ) 12% Traditional brand that has roots as a TV/ 12% RadioTraditional broadcaster brand (eg that Sky has News roots online) as a TV/ 30% 31% 32% 20% Radio broadcaster (eg Sky News online) 30% 31% 32% 20% Traditional brand that has roots as a newspaper/magazineTraditional brand that (ie Irish has Timesroots asonline) a Providing accurate Providing understanding Providing strong Providing amusement newspaper/magazine (ie Irish Times online) &Providing reliable news accurate Providingof complex understanding issues viewpoints/opinionsProviding strong orProviding entertainment amusement & reliable news of complex issues viewpoints/opinions or entertainment

~~Fig. 59 Consumer preferences for digital new brands 2017~~

Among The Irish Times News Consumers 39% think it is best for accuracy 29% think it is best for understanding complex issues 23% think it is best for strong opinions 13% think it is best for amusement and entertainment

Among RTÉ News Consumers 37% think it is best for accuracy 33% think it is best for understanding complex issues 35% think it is best for strong opinions 7% think it is best for amusement and entertainment

58 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Among Irish Independent News Consumers 26% think it is best for accuracy 30% think it is best for understanding complex issues 30% think it is best for strong opinions 16% think it is best for amusement and entertainment

Among TheJournal.ie New Consumers 21% think it is best for accuracy 20% think it is best for understanding complex issues 27% think it is best for strong opinions 28% think it is best for amusement and entertainment

Among Joe.ie News Consumers 6% think it is best for accuracy 7% think it is best for understanding complex issues 10% think it is best for strong opinions 43% think it is best for amusement and entertainment

~~Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 59 4.3 Conclusion~~

Compared to the international average, a higher percentage of Irish consumers looked to the public service broadcaster, RTÉ, as their main source of traditional news. The older the audience the more loyal it tends to be, in general, to legacy media. Engagement with digital brands mostly declined in the period under review. However, the top digital sources of news, TheJournal.ie, Irish Independent Online and RTÉ News Online, all showed growth over the previous period. The online offerings of legacy newspaper brands scored best for accurate news, as aids to understand complex issues and for providing strong viewpoints and opinions.

~~60 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Section Five Paying for News~~

This section identifies categories of Irish consumers willing to pay for online news and other categories who are not. Various payment methods for online news are outlined. And the reasons why some consumers are willing to pay for online news are discussed as are the reasons why others are not willing to pay up. The Irish attitude to ad blockers is considered, as is consumer tolerance to the length of ads.

~~Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 61 5.1 Paying for News News Payments~~

Consumer willingness to pay for online news has increased marginally over each of the last two years, reaching 10 percent in 2017. Younger consumers are more likely to pay for news than older ones. The category most inclined to pay for news was the 25-34 age group. The least inclined was the 45-54 age group.

Willingness to pay for news was highest in households with gross income in excess of €100,000 and lowest in households with gross income below €20,000. Broadly, younger and wealthier consumers are more likely to pay for online news while poorer and older people are less inclined to do so.

~~Fig. 60 Online news payment 2015-2016~~

~~10% 9%~~

~~2015 2016 2017~~

~~Have you paid for online news content, or accessed a paid for online news service in the last year?~~

~~12% 13%~~

~~11%~~

~~8% 7%~~

~~18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+~~

~~14% 13% 62 12%Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland~~

~~10% 10% 9%~~

~~Under €20,000 €30,000 €40,000 €60,000 Over €20,000 –€30,000 –€40,000 –€60,000 –€100,000 €100,000 10% 9%~~

~~7% 10% 9%~~

~~Fig. 61 Payment for news by age group~~

~~2015 2016 2017~~

~~2015 2016 2017 12% 13%~~

~~11%~~

~~8% 12% 13% 7% 11%~~

~~8% 7%~~

~~18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+~~

~~14% 13% Fig. 62 Payment12% for news by income~~

~~10% 10% 9% 14% 13% 12%~~

~~10% 9% 10%~~

~~Under €20,000 €30,000 €40,000 €60,000 Over €20,000 –€30,000 –€40,000 –€60,000 –€100,000 €100,000~~

~~Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 63 News Payment Methods~~

45% Two thirds of Irish news consumers make ongoing payments of one sort I made an ongoing payment (subscription) for a digital or another to digital companies which include a news service compared to news service (eg monthly, quarterly or annual payment) 42% 71 percent of their international counterparts. Many broadband, phone, 26% TV, radio and home entertainment bundles include news elements. But the I pay for a print/cable/broadbankd/other subscription that also includes access to a digital news service 37% latter are not usually the main reason subscribers purchase such packages. For example, in 2016 Eir foisted a sports news package on some subscribers 24% to its digital bundles at additional cost even though some customers I made a single one-off payment to access asingle article or edition 24% had little interest in it. Withdrawing from the new contract would have necessitated subscribers changing provider and being inconvenienced in 16% I have made a donation to support the process. a digital news service 14%

~~2% Other 6%~~

Fig. 63 News payment methods 2017 66% Net: Ongoing payment 71% 45% I made an ongoing payment (subscription) for a digital 42% news service (eg monthly, quarterly or annual payment) 45% 45% I made an ongoing payment (subscription)I made an ongoing for a digital payment (subscription) for a digital news service (eg monthly, quarterlynews or service annual (eg payment) monthly, quarterly or annual payment) 42% 42% International Ireland I pay for a print/cable/broadbankd/other subscription 26% that also includes access to a digital news service 37% I pay for a print/cable/broadbankd/otherI pay for a subscription print/cable/broadbankd/other subscription26% 26% that also includes access to a digitalthat newsalso includes service access to a digital news service 37% 37% I made a single one-off payment to 24% 32% I was offered a good deal access asingle article or edition 24% 23% I made a single one-off paymentI tomade a single one-off payment24% to 24% access asingle article or edition access asingle article or edition24% 24% 25% 16% It allows me to access news from my smartphone or tablet I have made a donation to support 30% a digital news service 14% 16% 16% 23% I have made a donation to supportI have made a donation to support It was cheaper than paying for offline access (eg print or TV) a digital news service a digital14% news service 14% 16% 2% 18% Other 6% I want to help fund journalism 2% 2% 13% Other 6% Other 6% 18% 66% There were benefits from membership other than news access Net: Ongoing payment 71% 16% 66% 66% 16% Net: Ongoing payment Net: Ongoing payment 71% 71% I was able to pay for print and online access together 21% International Ireland 16% I like to consume news from a range of sources 29% International Ireland International Ireland My favourite news source does not allow free access 16% 17% 32% 15% I was offered a good deal It was the only way I could access specialist information 23% 17% 32% 32% (eg sport, hobbies, other interests) I was offered a good deal I was offered a good deal 25% 13% It allows me to access news from my smartphone or tablet 23% 23% I need particular information for my job 30% 15% 25% 25% It allows me to access news fromIt allows my smartphoneme to access or news tablet from my smartphone or tablet 23% 11% It was cheaper than paying for offline access (eg print or TV) 30% 30% News you pay for is better than free news 16% 16% 23% 23% It was cheaper than paying forIt wasoffline cheaper access than (eg printpaying or for TV) offline access (eg print or TV) 18% I want to help fund journalism 16% 16% 9% 13% I like to have access to information that most people do not 17% 18% 18% I want to help fund journalismI want to help fund journalism 18% 2% There were benefits from membership other than news access 13% 13% Other 16% 3% 18% 18% There were benefits from membershipThere were other benefits than from news membership access other than news access 16% 2% I was able to pay for print and online access together 16% 16% 21% None of these 2% 16% 16% I was able to pay for print andI wasonline able access to pay together for print and online access together 16% 2% I like to consume news from a range of sources 21% 21% Don't know 29% 2% 16% 16% I like to consume news from aI likerange to consumeof sources news from a range of sources My favourite news source does not allow free access 16% 29% 29% International Ireland 64 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 17%• DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland My favourite news source doesMy not favourite allow free news access source does not allow free access 16% 16% It was the only way I could access specialist information 17% 15% 17% 17% (eg sport, hobbies, other interests) It was the only way I could accessIt was specialist the only informationway I could access specialist information 15% 15% 17% 13% 17% (eg sport, hobbies,I need otherparticular interests)(eg information sport, hobbies, for my other job interests) 15% 13% 13% I need particular information Ifor need my particular job information for my job 11% News you pay for is better than free news 15% 15% 16% 11% 11% News you pay for is better thanNews free you news pay for is better than free news 16%9% 16% I like to have access to information that most people do not 17% 9% 9% I like to have access to informationI like to that have most access people to information do not that most people do 2%not Other 17% 17% 3% 2% 2% Other Other 3% 2% 3% None of these 2% 2% 2% None of these None of these2% Don't2% know 2% 2% 2% 2% Don't know Don't know 2% International 2% Ireland

International Ireland International Ireland 5.2 Attitudes Towards Paying for News 45% I made an ongoing payment (subscription) for a digital news service (eg monthly,Why quarterly People or annual payment) Pay for Online News 42% I pay for a print/cable/broadbankd/other subscription 26% that also includesIrish consumers access to a digital gave news numerous service reasons as to why they pay for37% online news. Value- for-money was an important factor with almost a third of respondents indicating thatI made being a single offered one-off a paymentgood deal to influenced their decision24% to buy. The fact that some onlineaccess news asingle was cheaperarticle or edition than legacy content was also24% an important factor as were benefits other than news access. These reasons are not surprising in a country 16% whichI have has made undergone a donation to a supportsevere decade-long austerity programme resulting in 14% substantial reductionsa digital news in servicethe take-home salary of many workers. 2% The main reasons Irish consumersOther pay6% for news include gaining access to: breaking news; reportage of recent events; explanatory and analysis news; and news archives. Compared to their international counterparts, Irish 66% consumers Net:are Ongoingless likely payment to pay for breaking news but more likely to pay for 71% comment and opinion. And fewer Irish consumers are willing to pay for news related to hobbies, sport or work-related stories. International Ireland

~~Fig. 64 Reasons for paying for online news 2017~~

32% I was offered a good deal 23% 25% It allows me to access news from my smartphone or tablet 30% 23% It was cheaper than paying for ofﬂine access (eg print or TV) 16% 18% I want to help fund journalism 13% 18% There were beneﬁts from membership other than news access 16% 16% I was able to pay for print and online access together 45% 45% I made an ongoing payment (subscription)I made an ongoing for a digital payment (subscription)21% for a digital news service (eg monthly, quarterlynews or service annual (eg payment) monthly, quarterly or annual payment) 42% 42% 16% I like to consume news from a range of sources 29% I pay for a print/cable/broadbankd/otherI pay for a subscription print/cable/broadbankd/other subscription26% 26% My favourite news source does not allowthat alsofree includes access access to a digitalthat newsalso includes service access16% to a digital news service 37% 37% 17% 15% It was the only way I could access specialist information 24% 24% I made a single one-off paymentI tomade a single17% one-off payment to (eg sport, hobbies, other interests)access asingle article or edition access asingle article or edition24% 24% 13% I need particular information for my job 15% 16% 16% I have made a donation to supportI have made a donation to support 11% 14% 14% News you pay for is better than free news a digital news service a digital news service 16% 2% 2% I like to have access to information that most people do not 9% Other 17%6% Other 6% 2% Other 3% 66% 66% Net: Ongoing payment Net: Ongoing payment 2% 71% 71% None of these 2% 2% Don't know 2% International Ireland International Ireland

~~International Ireland Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 65~~

32% 32% I was offered a good deal I was offered a good deal 23% 23% 25% 25% It allows me to access news fromIt allows my smartphoneme to access or news tablet from my smartphone or tablet 30% 30% 23% 23% It was cheaper than paying forIt wasoffline cheaper access than (eg printpaying or for TV) offline access (eg print or TV) 16% 16% 18% 18% I want to help fund journalismI want to help fund journalism 13% 13% 18% 18% There were benefits from membershipThere were other benefits than from news membership access other than news access 16% 16% 16% 16% I was able to pay for print andI wasonline able access to pay together for print and online access together 21% 21% 16% 16% I like to consume news from aI likerange to consumeof sources news from a range of sources 29% 29%

My favourite news source doesMy not favourite allow free news access source does not allow free access 16% 16% 17% 17% It was the only way I could accessIt was specialist the only informationway I could access specialist information 15% 15% 17% 17% (eg sport, hobbies, other interests)(eg sport, hobbies, other interests) 13% 13% I need particular information Ifor need my particular job information for my job 15% 15% 11% 11% News you pay for is better thanNews free you news pay for is better than free news 16% 16% 9% 9% I like to have access to informationI like to that have most access people to information do not that most people do not 17% 17% 2% 2% Other Other 3% 3% 2% 2% None of these 2% None of these 2% 2% 2% Don't know Don't know 2% 2%

International Ireland International Ireland There are numerous reasons why consumers won’t pay for online news. In Ireland, the main ones are (1) that a lot of news is available free; (2) that online news is assumed to be not worth paying for; (3) that legacy news is preferred; and (4) that consumers can’t afford to pay for it.

~~Fig. 65 Reasons for not paying for online news 2017~~

~~53% I can get online news for free 54%~~

~~25% Online news isn’t worth paying for 25%~~

~~My favourite news source doesn’t 23% currently charge for access 29% 22% I can’t afford it at the moment 18%~~

~~I prefer to consume news offline 19% (via(via TV, TV, newspapers newspapers etc.) etc) 22% 11% I’m not interested enough in the news 9%~~

I don’t like using my credit card 11% oror bankbank detailsdetails onlineonline 11% 8% I’m worried it will be difficult to cancel the payment 6% 4% I’m not online enough 45% 45% I made an ongoing payment (subscription)I made an ongoing for a digital payment (subscription) for a digital4% news service (eg monthly, quarterlynews or service annual (eg payment) monthly, quarterly or annual payment) 42% 42% 4% Making the payment will be too much hassle 4% I pay for a print/cable/broadbankd/otherI pay for a subscription print/cable/broadbankd/other subscription26% 26% 4% that also includes access to a digitalI don’tthat newsalso own includes service a smartphone access to or a digital tablet news service 37% 37% 3% 3% I made a single one-off paymentI tomade a single one-off payment24% to 24% None of these 3% access asingle article or edition access asingle article or edition24% 24% 2% Don’t know16% 16% I have made a donation to supportI have made a donation to support3% a digital news service a digital14% news service 14% 2% Other 2% 2% 2% Other 6% Other 6% 81% 83% 66%39% 66% Net: Ongoing payment Net: Ongoing payment 34% 71% 71%

~~International Ireland International Ireland~~

32% 32% I was offered a good deal I was offered a good deal 23% 23% 25% 25% It allows me to access news fromIt allows my smartphoneme to access or news tablet from my smartphone or tablet 30% 30% 23% 23% It was cheaper than paying forIt wasoffline cheaper access than (eg printpaying or for TV) offline access (eg print or TV) 66 16% Digital News Report 16%Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 18% 18% I want to help fund journalismI want to help fund journalism 13% 13% 18% 18% There were benefits from membershipThere were other benefits than from news membership access other than news access 16% 16% 16% 16% I was able to pay for print andI wasonline able access to pay together for print and online access together 21% 21% 16% 16% I like to consume news from aI likerange to consumeof sources news from a range of sources 29% 29%

~~International Ireland International Ireland Fig. 66 Perceptions of online news worth paying for 2017~~

~~36% In-depth analysis or explanation 34%~~

~~36% Breaking news 41% 35% Comment and opinion 29%~~

33% Reporting on recent events 45% 45% 38% I made an ongoing payment (subscription)I made an ongoing for a digital payment (subscription) for a digital 42% 42% 26% news service (eg monthly, quarterlynews or service annual (eg payment)Access monthly, to quarterlynews archives or annual payment) 27% I pay for a print/cable/broadbankd/otherI pay for a subscription print/cable/broadbankd/other subscription26% 26%17% that also includes access Newsto a digital relatedthat newsalso to includes service my work access or profession to a digital news service 37% 37% 24%

15% I madeSpecialist a single newsone-off about payment my Ihobbies tomade a single or interests one-off payment24% to 24% access asingle article or edition access asingle article or edition24% 24% 23% 14% Amusing or entertaining content 16% 16% I have made a donation to supportI have made a donation to support 23% 14% 14% a digital news service a digital news service 5% Other 6% 2% 2% Other None of6% these Other3% 6% 3%

~~2% 66% 66% Net: Ongoing payment Don'tNet: know Ongoing payment 2% 71% 71%~~

~~International Ireland International Ireland~~

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting11% Authority of Ireland 11% 67 News you pay for is better thanNews free you news pay for is better than free news 16% 16% 9% 9% I like to have access to informationI like to that have most access people to information do not that most people do not 17% 17% 2% 2% Other Other 3% 3% 2% 2% None of these 2% None of these 2% 2% 2% Don't know Don't know 2% 2%

~~International Ireland International Ireland Paying for Digital Media Generally~~

The most common reason Irish consumers [22 percent] pay for online content is to access TV, film and video on services such as Netflix. The next most common reason is to access e-books on services such as Amazon Kindle. The Irish subscription rate here, at 19 percent, is almost twice the international average of 10 percent. Purchasing software and apps for computers, tablets and smartphones comes next at 14 percent. Gaming related purchases followed at 10 percent.

~~Fig. 67 Payment for digital media 2017~~

~~Ongoing payment for on-demand TV 22% (eg(eg Netﬂix) Netflix) 18%~~

~~19% e-Books (eg Amazon Kindle) 10%~~

~~14% Software for your desktop/laptop computer laptop computer 15%~~

Smartphone or tablet apps 14% (including(including in-app in-app purchases) purchases) 15% Games, includig in-app purchases for cheats 10% and collectibles (eg video games console) and collectibles (eg video a games console) 11%

One-off payment for music or audio files 9% (eg iTunes) (eg iTunes) 8% 45% 45% I made an ongoing payment (subscription)One-offI made an payment ongoing for a digital for payment film, TV, (subscription) or video files for a digital 9% news service (eg monthly, quarterlynews or service annual (eg payment) monthly, quarterly or annual payment) 42% 42% or video ﬁles (eg(eg iTunes) iTunes) 9%

I pay for a print/cable/broadbankd/otherI payOngoing for a subscription print/cable/broadbankd/otherpayment for music or audio (eg subscription 26% 9% 26% that also includes access to a digitalthat newsalso includes serviceaudio access (eg to Spotify)a Spotify)digital news service 37%10% 37%

4% Don’t know I made a single one-off paymentI tomade a single one-off payment24% to 6% 24% access asingle article or edition access asingle article or edition24% 24% Premium or members-only content on a 3% particular non-news website on a particular non-news website16% 4% 16% I have made a donation to supportI have made a donation to support a digital news service a digital14% news service 14% A non-news website or online service (eg 2% (eg onlineonline dating) dating) 4% 2% 2% Other 1%Other 6% Other 6% 1%

~~66% 66% 41% Net: Ongoing payment NoneNet: of Ongoing these payment 71% 71% 44%~~

~~International Ireland International Ireland~~

Which of the following types of digital media (if any) have you paid for online in the last year? 32% 32% I was offered a good deal I was offered a good deal 23% 23% 25% 25% It allows me to access news fromIt allows my smartphoneme to access or news tablet from my smartphone or tablet 30% 30% 23% 23% It was cheaper than paying forIt wasoffline cheaper access than (eg printpaying or for TV) offline access (eg print or TV) 16% 16% 68 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 18% 18% I want to help fund journalismI want to help fund journalism 13% 13% 18% 18% There were benefits from membershipThere were other benefits than from news membership access other than news access 16% 16% 16% 16% I was able to pay for print andI wasonline able access to pay together for print and online access together 21% 21% 16% 16% I like to consume news from aI likerange to consumeof sources news from a range of sources 29% 29%

~~International Ireland International Ireland Advertising and Ad Blockers~~

Irish news consumers, in common with their international counterparts, find ads on digital news services annoying and intrusive. Some 57 percent are willing to endure the ads in return for free news. Approximately one third of news consumers have downloaded and use ad-blocking software. Some 34 percent have downloaded ad blocking software on personal devices compared to an international average of 29 percent. And just short of a third use ad- blocking software compared to the international average of 26 percent.

Fig. 68 Attitudes towards advertising and ad blockers Ireland and International 83% I ﬁnd the level of advertisements 84% on news sites intrusive 83% 85% I ﬁnd the level of advertisements 84% 81% on news sites intrusive 85% 57% 81% I am prepared to see advertisements 54% in exchange for free news 57% 54% I am prepared to see advertisements 54% 66% in exchange for free news 54% 34% 66% Ever downloaded ad blocking software 29% on personal devices 34% 25% Ever downloaded ad blocking software 29% 28% on personal devices 25% 28% 32% Currently use ad blocking software 26% on personal devices 32% 24% Currently use ad blocking software 26% 26% on personal devices 24% 26% 29% 23% Currently use ad blocking software on computer 29% 22% 23% 22% Currently use ad blocking software on computer 22% 22%7% 7% Currently use ad blocking software on tablet 7% 6% 7% 8% Currently use ad blocking software on tablet 6% 8% 7% 6% Currently use ad blocking software on smartphone 7% 4% 6% 7% Currently use ad blocking software on smartphone 4% 7%

~~Ireland International Ireland UK International USA UK USA~~

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 69 The percentage use of ad blockers by various age cohorts is predictable. The young use ad blockers much more extensively than older groups as follows: 18-24: 49 percent; 25-34: 40 percent; 35-44: 33 percent; 45-54: 30 percent; 55+: 22 percent. The older the consumer the less likely they are to use ad blockers. The perceived technical hassle of downloading ad blocker software is the most likely reason for reluctance on the part of older consumers to use it. Consumers in Connaught and Part of Ulster, at 37 percent, used blockers most while those in Munster, at 26 percent, used them least.

~~Fig. 69 Ad blocker use by age 49% 49%~~

~~40% 40% 33% 33% 30% 30% 22% 22%~~

~~18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+ 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+~~

~~Fig. 70 Ad blocker use by region 37% 36% 37% 36% 30% 30% 26% 26%~~

~~Connaught & Dublin Rest of Munster PartConnaught of Ulster & Dublin LeinsterRest of Munster Part of Ulster Leinster~~

~~70 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 5.3 Conclusion~~

Although younger and wealthier consumers are more likely to pay for online news, the total number of people willing to do so is small at 10 percent. The main reasons Irish consumers pay for online news are to access: breaking stories; reportage of recent events; explanatory and analysis news; and news archives. The main reasons they don’t want to pay for it are because a lot of news is available free; it is assumed much of it is not worth paying for; and legacy news is preferred; and it is too expensive. Irish news consumers find ads on digital news services annoying and intrusive. Over a third of them have downloaded ad- blocking software. The older the consumers, the less likely they are to use ad-blocking software.

~~Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 71 Section Six Gateways to News~~

The gateways to Irish digital news and attitudes to gatekeepers who promote news on digital news platforms are examined here. The methods by which different genders and age groups access news and consumer engagement with video news are also outlined.

~~72 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 6.1 Gateways to News~~

~~Gateways to Online News~~

Consumers were asked about seven access routes to news in 2017. Direct access via a news website or app was the most popular at 45 percent. Social media, at 35 percent, was up four percentage points on the 2016 figure. The next most common routes to news were via search engine to a specific website [28 percent] and via search engine to a specific news story [21 percent]. Then came mobile news alerts and email alerts, both 13 percent. Specific story searches are increasingly driving traffic. But brand loyalties remain a powerful attraction. Of the seven gateways surveyed, ‘Branded Entry’ at 62 percent was the most popular.

~~Fig. 71 Gateways to online news 2016–2017~~

~~59%~~

~~62% Net: Branded Entry 59%~~

~~45% Went directly to a news website or app 41%~~

~~Net: Search 41% 34%~~

~~Social Media 35% 31%~~

~~Used a search engine to search for a particular website 28% 25%~~

~~Used a search engine to search for a particular story 21% 15%~~

~~Received an email newsletter or alert 13% 8%~~

~~Received an alert on my mobile device 13% 11%~~

~~Used a newsreader or aggregator app 6% 7%~~

~~2017 2016~~

~~How have you come across online news?~~

~~48%~~

Digital News Report40% Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 73 38%38% 37% 35% 34% 31% 30%30% 27% 26% 25% 25% 23% 24% 21%21% 22% 18% 18%18% 17% 15% 15% 14% 13% 12% 12%12% 12% 11% 10% 8% 7% 4% 3% 3% 2% 2%

Used social Went directly Used a search Used a search Received an Received an Used a news- I haven’t media to a news engine to engine to email news- alert on my reader or used online website or app search for a search for a letter or mobile phone aggregator news in the particular particular alert app last week website story

~~18–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55+ 59%~~

~~62% Net: Branded Entry 59%~~

~~45% Went directly to a news website or app 41%~~

~~Net: Search 41% 34%~~

~~Social Media 35% 31%~~

~~Used a search engine to search for a particular website 28% 25%~~

~~Used a search engine to search for a particular story 21% 15%~~

~~Received an email newsletter or alert 13% 8% 59% 13% 62% Received an alert on my mobile device Net: Branded Entry 11% 59%~~

~~6% 45% Used a newsreader or aggregator app Went directly to a news website or app 7% 41%~~

~~2017 2016 Net: Search 41% 34%~~

Social Media 35% Gateways to News by Age Group 31% 48% Used a search engine to search for a particular website 28% Five age groups were asked to specify their use of seven 25%gateways to 40% news. The youngest cohort [18-24] made by far the heaviest use of 37% 38%38% 35% Used a searchsocial engine media to search at 48 for percent. a particular This story perhaps indicates the21% young have a 34% 31% more serendipitous appetite for news than older 15%cohorts who prefer a 30%30% 27% 26% 25% 25% more direct approach. Some 25 percent of the 13%55+ age cohort got their 24% Received an email newsletter or alert 23% 22% news via an email newsletter or email alert,8% indicating this group prefers 21%21% 18% 18%18% 17% a targeted approach to locating news. Email newsletters tend to have a 15% 15% 14% 13% 12% 12%12% more traditional and less dynamic structure which13% appears to better suit 12% 11% Received an alert on my mobile device 10% 11% 8% the older audience. 7% 4% 3% 3% Used a newsreader or aggregator app 6% 2% 2% 7% Used social Went directly Used a search Used a search Received an Received an Used a news- I haven’t Fig. 72 Gateways to news by age 2017 media to a news engine to engine to email news- alert on my reader or used online 2017 2016 website or app search for a search for a letter or mobile phone aggregator news in the particular particular alert app last week website story

~~48% 18–24 25–34 40% 35–44 38%38% 37% 45–54 35% 34% 31% 30%30% 55+ 27% 26% 25% 25% 23% 24% 21%21% 22% 18% 18%18% 17% 15% 15% 14% 13% 12% 12%12% 12% 11% 10% 8% 7% 4% 3% 3% 2% 2%~~

~~18–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55+~~

~~74 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Gateways to News by Gender~~

Far more women [39 percent] used social media to find news than men [29 percent] whereas the reverse was true in the case of a direct route to a website or app. In the latter case, the figure for males was 39 percent and for females 30 percent.

~~Fig. 73 Gateways to news by gender 2017~~

~~39% 39%~~

~~30% 29% 27%~~

~~22% 20%20% 20% 18% 14% 13% 12%~~

~~6% 4% 1%~~

~~Female Male~~

~~Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 75 6.2 Ways of Consuming News~~

~~Forms of Access~~

Irish news consumers use the various routes to news in roughly the same percentages as international news consumers. The similarities in the figures are striking across all categories, except for consumption of photo gallery news. Although even here the difference is not large, the reason may be that news photo galleries feature less commonly on Irish digital news sites than on those outside Ireland.

The most common way to consume a story was to read it [44 percent Irish and 45 percent international]. This is clearly a hangover from the legacy media period. Video news consumption was twice as popular as audio consumption.Interestingly, infographic consumption was low among both Irish and international respondents. This begs the question as to whether expensive investment in infographic story-telling wipes its face when it comes to building an audience to capture additional market share.

~~Fig. 74 Ways of consuming news 2017~~

44% Read news stories or articles 45% Looked at a list of news headlines 32% (eg the front page of a news website) 32% Watched online news video 24% (live, clip or programme) 22% Used an app on my smartphone 20% to access the news 21% Looked at a sequence or gallery 13% of pictures about news 17% 13% Used an app on my tablet to access the news 11% Listened to news audio online 11% (live, clip or podcast/programme) 12% 11% Read a news blog 13% Followed a live news page within a website 11% (short updates on a majory news story listed) 15% Looked at a list (eg a top 10) 10% 10% Viewed a news graphic (infographic) 6% 8% Don’t know 5% 6% Other 1% 1% 13% None of these 11%

~~International Ireland~~

~~76 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland News Aggregators and Apps~~

The 2017 figures for news aggregators and apps used show, in general, minor growth on the 2016 figures. It should be noted that the absence of Facebook and Twitter detracts from this figure as both are, in fact, specialist news aggregators. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this graph is the number of respondents who don’t use any ofthe aggregators Google Newsor site/appapps specified in the question.11% This group increased from 54 percent in 2016 to 59 percent in 2017.11% Snaptchat Discover 6% 3% Twitter Moments 6% Fig.4% 75 News aggregators and apps 2016–2017

Google Play Newsstand 5% 32% TheJournal.ie4% 34% RTÉ News Online 31% 4% 42% Reddit 11% 30% Google News site/appIrish Independent3% Online 36% The Irish Times Online 11% 23% 4% 29% Apple News BreakingNews.ie6% 19% Snaptchat Discover 2% 24% 3% 16% BBC News Online 22 3% 14% TwitterSmartNews Moments Sky News Online6% 19% 2% 12% Yahoo!4% News 14% 3% 11% Google Play NewsstandFlipboard Her.ie/Joe.ie5% 16% 5% 10% Irish Examiner4% Online 13% Other 2% 10% Hufﬁngton4% Post 11% Reddit 9% MSN3% News 11% Upday 8% Any local radio news online (e.g.2% 4% 98FM) 15% Apple News 8% Guardian2% Online 10% 8% Mail3% Online 11% FacebookSmartNews Notify 13% 7% Buzzfeed2% news 10% CNN.com 7% Flipboard 3% 6% Linkedin Pulse Irish Mirror online6% 6% 5% 9% Local or regional newspaper online (e.g. The Kerryman) 6% Other 2% 10% Newstalk Online6% 6% Yahoo News Digest 7% TV3 New Online 6% Upday 8% iOS NewsNew York Times2% Online 5% 3% 5% Fora: DailyEdge.ie/The42/Fore.ie 5% None of these 59% The Sunday Times Online 3% Facebook Notify 13% 6% 54%

~~Linkedin Pulse 20172016 6%20162017~~

~~Yahoo News Digest Which6% news aggregators and apps have you used?~~

~~iOS News 3%~~

None of these 59%37% I mostly read news in text but occasionally 54% watch video news that looks interesting 34% 17% 21% 20% 22% 2017 2016 Don't know/none of these 33% 19% I mostly read news in text 18% 22% 40% Digital born/digital ﬁrst brand 37% (ie TheJournal.ie) 15% 12% 10% 14% Traditional brand that is the main publicly- 19% I read18% text stories and watch16% video news about the same 6% 12% funded pubilc service broadcaster (RTÉ) 37% I mostly read news in text but occasionally watch video news that looks interesting 12% Traditional brand that has roots as a TV/34% 6% I mostly watch video news and Radio broadcaster (eg Sky News online) 30% 31%read text occasionally32% 20% 6% 33% I mostly read news in text Traditional brand that has roots as a Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland newspaper/magazine (ie Irish Times online) 77 Providing accurate Providing understanding Providing strong Providing3% amusement 37% & reliable news of complexI mostly issues watch viewpoints/opinionsvideo news or entertainment 4% 14% I read text stories and watch video news about the same 12% Ireland International I mostly watch video news and 6% read text occasionally 6%

~~3% I mostly watch video news 4%~~

~~Ireland International Google News site/app 11% 11%~~

~~Snaptchat Discover 6% 3% Twitter Moments 6% 4% Google Play Newsstand 5% 4% Reddit 4% 3% Apple News 4% 2% SmartNews 3% 2% Flipboard 3% 5% Other 2%~~

~~Upday 2%~~

~~Facebook Notify 13%~~

~~LinkedinNews Pulse Formats6%~~

~~Yahoo News Digest 6% Irish consumers are broadly in line with their international counterparts~~

wheniOS News it comes to3% the consumption of text and video news. Text-based stories are still easily the most dominant medium. In 2017, 37 percent of None of these 59% Irish consumers indicated they mostly consume text with only occasional 54% video news and 33 percent mostly consume text in isolation. Just 3 percent consume2017 mostly 2016 video news, in line with the international average.

~~Fig. 76 Irish and international formats of online news consumption 2017~~

~~37% I mostly read news in text but occasionally watch video news that looks interesting 34%~~

~~33% I mostly read news in text 37%~~

~~14% I read text stories and watch video news about the same 12%~~

~~I mostly watch video news and 6% read text occasionally 6%~~

~~3% I mostly watch video news 4%~~

~~Ireland International~~

~~Which news formats do you mostly consume?~~

~~Fig. 77 Formats of online news consumption 2016–2017~~

~~6% 6%~~

~~76% 71%~~

~~Don’t know Mostly text~~

~~I read text stories and watch video news about the same 10% 14% 7% 9% Mostly video~~

~~2016 2016~~

~~Which news formats do you mostly consume?~~

~~78 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland~~

~~27% 28% 24%~~

~~2015 2016 2017 6.3 Video News~~

~~6% Video News Consumption6%~~

Consumption of video news decreased in 2017 to 24 percent, from 28 percent the previous year and 27 percent in 2015. Facebook’s recent decision to push video news76% may generate a turnaround71% in consumption of this type of news next year. Don’t know Pre-roll ads on video news continue to be resisted by consumers. JustMostly text 3 percent felt they could tolerate ads lasting over half a minute. And a I read text stories and watch whopping 86 percent demanded ads lasting half14% a minute or, preferably,video news about the same much less. The limits of toleration10% were: 5 seconds or less – 38 percent; 6-10 seconds – 24 percent;7% 11-15 seconds – 109% percent; 16-20 secondsMostly video – 8 percent; 21-25 seconds2016 – 2 percent; 26-302016 seconds – 4 percent; over 31 seconds – 3 percent.

~~Fig. 78 Video news consumption 2015–2017~~

~~27% 28% 24%~~

~~2015 2016 2017~~

~~Do you watch online video news?~~

~~Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 79 59% 58%~~

~~40% 37% 36% 35% 32% 31% 30% 30% 29% 29% 28% 28%~~

~~Tablet Mobile Smart TV Smart watch Smartphone Connected TV Ebook readerTablet – other Tablet – Apple Laptop/Desktop Smartphone – other Smartphone – Apple~~

~~Other internet connected phone Voice activated connected speaker~~

~~Fig. 79 Perception of fair duration for pre-roll ads 2017~~

~~38%~~

~~24%~~

~~10% 11% 8% 4% 2% 3%~~

~~Up to 5 6–10 11–15 16–20 21–25 26–30 31 Don’t know seconds seconds seconds seconds seconds seconds seconds or more~~

~~What advert length would be fair for a two minute news video?~~

~~Video News by Demographics~~

~~Consumption of video news was evenly spread across the five age categories, with usage weakest in the oldest group at 21 percent and strongest in the 35-44 cohort at 27 percent.~~

~~Fig. 80 Video news by age group 2017~~

~~27% 25% 24% 24% 21%~~

~~18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55+~~

~~27% 26% 25% 24% 23% 80 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland~~

~~17%~~

I did not complete Secondary school, Professional Bachelor’s degree Masters or Masters/ secondary/high high school, qualiﬁcation or similar Doctoral Doctoral school baccalaureate or degree OR Bachelor’s A-Levels 27% 25% 24% 24% 21%

The percentage usage of video news across consumers of varying education levels produced interesting findings. The lowest uptake, at 17 percent, occurred at the lowest education level, which is counter-intuitive. Thereafter, the results at the other five levels were similar, ranging from 23 to 27 percent. One explanation might be that certain popular media use less video news output and, as a result, their less-educated audience has limited choice when it comes to the consumption of video news. And some legacy media have been slow to incorporate video news in their digital offering18-24 for a 25-34variety of logistical,35-44 technical45-54 and financial55+ reasons.

~~Fig. 81 Video news by education level 2017~~

~~27% 26% 25% 24% 23%~~

~~17%~~

~~Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 81 6.4 Conclusion~~

The most common routes to news in 2017 were via social media or directly through a news website or app. Younger consumers used social media to access news while older cohorts preferred a more direct targeted approach using an email newsletter or email alert. Women preferred to find news via social media whereas men took more direct approaches. Text-based stories are easily the most consumed news format. Consumption of video news decreased in the period under review. Pre-roll ads on video news continue to be resisted. Where present, for consumers, it was a case of the shorter the better. The devices most used to access video news were voice- activated connected speakers and smart watches.

~~82 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Section Seven Social Media and Engagement~~

Social media brands used for news, social media news users, and some of the values around discovering news on social media are examined here. And the nature of Irish engagement with news on social media is outlined in terms of participation and sharing.

~~Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 83 7.1 Social Media for News~~

~~Social Media Brands~~

Facebook and YouTube were the leading social media brands for any purpose in 2017 at 68 percent and 58 percent respectively. Both have seen small declines over the last two years. WhatsApp experienced solid 71% 70% 70% growth of eight percentage points each year over the same period to 40 68%

percent in 2017. 62% 60% 61% 58% Instagram and Snapchat each increased usage since 2015, with the former at 19 percent in 2017 and the latter at 15 percent. Twitter, LinkedIn and Viber saw marginal declines in recent years with the latter down five 40%40% 37%36% percentage points since 2015. Irish consumers use Twitter and Snapchat 32% more than the international average but use Instagram less. 25%25% 24% 23% 24% 24% 23% 22% 20% 20% 19% 19%19% 16% 16% 14% 15% 14% 12% 13% 13%13% 12% 11% 10% 9% 8% 8% 7% 7% 7% Fig. 82 Social media brands for any purpose 2015–2017

~~Facebook YouTube Whatsapp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Viber Snapchat Pinterest Google+ None 71% 70% 70% Messenger (not google search) of these 68%~~

~~62% 60% 61% 58% 2015 Ireland 2016 Ireland 2017 Ireland 2017 International 40%40% 37%36% 32%~~

~~25%25% 24% 23% 24% 24% 23% 22% 20% 20% 47% 19% 19%19% 46% 16% 16% 45% 14% 15% 14% 12% 13% 13%13% 12% 11% 10%41% 9% 8% 8% 7% 7% 7%~~

~~Facebook YouTube Whatsapp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Viber Snapchat Pinterest Google+ None Messenger (not google search) of these~~

~~22%~~

~~18% 18% 2015 Ireland 17% Which social media brands do you use? 15% 14% 2016 Ireland 13% 11% 11% 2017 Ireland 10% 8% 7% 7% 2017 International 6% 5% 5% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 2% 2% 2%~~

~~Facebook YouTube Twitter Whatsapp Facebook LinkedIn Snapchat Instagram Viber Google+ Messenger (not google search) 47% 46% 45%~~

~~41%~~

~~22%~~

~~84 18% 18% Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 17% 15% 14% 13% 11% 11% 10% 8% 7% 7% 6% 5% 5% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 2% 2% 2%~~

~~Facebook YouTube Twitter Whatsapp Facebook LinkedIn Snapchat Instagram Viber Google+ Messenger (not google search) 71% 70% 70% 68% Social Media Brands for News~~

62% 60% 61% 58%The dominant brand for news in Ireland in the period under review is Facebook at 41 percent. It is far ahead of its nearest rivals, YouTube at 18 percent, Twitter at 11 percent and WhatsApp, also at 11 percent. The other40%40% brands in the social media news market, Facebook Messenger, 37%36% LinkedIn,32% Snapchat, Instagram, Viber and Google Plus, have relatively small penetration compared to the big four. 25%25% 24% 23% 24% 24% 23% 22% 20% 20% 19% 19%19% 16% 16% Excluding Twitter, LinkedIn and Snapchat,14% Irish news consumers15% use the14% 12% 13% 13%13% 12% 71% 70% 70% other social media brands for news slightly less than their 11%international 10% 9% 8% 8%68% 7% 7% 7% counterparts. The international average usage for Facebook is 47 percent 62% 60% 61% compared to Irish usage of 41 percent. The average international audience 58% Facebook YouTubehadWhatsapp a higher opinionFacebook ofTwitter YouTubeLinkedIn as a sourceInstagram of news,Viber at 22Snapchat percent,Pinterest than Google+ None Messenger (not google search) of these its Irish counterpart.

~~40%40% 2015 Ireland 37%36% 2016 Ireland 32%~~

~~2017 Ireland 25%25% 24% 23% 23% 24% 24% 2017 International 22% 20% 20% 19% 19%19% 16% 16% 14% 15% 14% 12% 13% 13%13% 12% Fig. 83 Social media brands for news 2015–2017 11% 10% 9% 8% 8% 7% 7% 7%~~

~~47% 46% 45% Facebook YouTube Whatsapp Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram Viber Snapchat Pinterest Google+ None (not google search) 41% Messenger of these~~

2015 Ireland 2016 Ireland 2017 Ireland 22% 2017 International 18% 18% 17% 15% 14% 13% 11% 11% 10% 8% 7% 7% 6% 5% 47%5% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 46% 4% 3% 3% 3% 3% 45%3% 3% 2% 2% 2% 41% Facebook YouTube Twitter Whatsapp Facebook LinkedIn Snapchat Instagram Viber Google+ Messenger (not google search)

~~22%~~

18% 18% 17% 15% Rank Brand Any purpose Use for news 14% 13% 11% 11% 10% 8% 1 Facebook 68% 41% (-4) 7% 7% 6% 5% 5% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 4% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 3% 2 YouTube 58% 18% (+1) 2% 2% 2% Facebook YouTube Twitter Whatsapp Facebook LinkedIn Snapchat Instagram Viber Google+ 3 Twitter 23% 11% (-2) Messenger (not google search) 4 WhatsApp 40% 11% (+4)

~~5 Facebook Messenger 37% 7%~~

~~Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 85 What do People Value about News on Social Media?~~

Irish consumers tend to place slightly lower value on social media as a news source than their international peers. Forty-eight percent of international YouTube consumers find it a useful source of news in contrast to 42 percent of Irish consumers.

~~Fig. 84 Usefulness of social media for accessing news~~

~~63% 60%~~

~~48% 42% 40% 41%~~

~~Twitter YouTube Facebook~~

~~Ireland International~~

~~Are social media a useful way of getting news?~~

~~39% Talk with friends and colleagues about a news story 38%~~

~~21% Share a news story via social network 27% 15% Rate, like or favourite a news story 21% Vote in an online poll via a news site or social network 14% 17%~~

~~14% Comment on a news story in a social network 20%~~

~~13% Talk online with friends and colleagues about a news story 18%~~

~~12% Share a news story via email 13%~~

~~10% Comment on a news story on a news website 10%~~

~~8% Share a news story via instant messenger 16%~~

~~Post or send a news-related picture or video to a social network 7% 11%~~

~~5% Take part in a campaign or group based around news story 6%~~

~~3% 86 Post of send a picture or video to the news Digital 5%News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 1% Write a blog on a news or political issue 3%~~

~~30% None of these 28% 63% 60%~~

~~48% 42% 7.2 Online Engagement with News40% 41%~~

~~Participation with News~~

The most common ways Irish consumers share or participate in news were: (1) talking with friends and colleagues [39 percent]; (2) sharing a story on a socialTwitter network [21 percent]; (3) rating,YouTube liking or ‘favouriting’ a story Facebook[15 percent]; (4) voting in an online poll on a news site or social network [14 percent];Ireland and commenting on a story in a social network [14 percent]. International

~~Fig. 85 Participation in news Ireland and international 2017~~

~~39% Talk with friends and colleagues about a news story 38%~~

~~21% Share a news story via social network 27% 15% Rate, like or favourite a news story 21% Vote in an online poll via a news site or social network 14% 17%~~

~~14% Comment on a news story in a social network 20% Talk online with friends and colleagues about a news story 63% 13% 60% 18% 12% Share a news story via email 13%~~

~~10% 48% Comment on a news story on a news website 10% 42% 41% 8% 40% Share a news story via instant messenger 16%~~

~~Post or send a news-related picture or video to a social network 7% 11%~~

~~5% Take part in a campaign or group based around news story 6%~~

~~3% Post of send a picture or video to the news 5%~~

~~1% Write a blog on a news or political issue 3%~~

~~30% None of these 28% Twitter YouTube Facebook~~

~~Ireland International~~

~~During an average week which, if any, of the following ways do you share or participate in news coverage?~~

~~39% Talk with friends and colleagues about a news story 38%~~

~~21% Share a news story via social network 27% 15% Rate, like or favourite a news story 21% Vote in an online poll via a news site or social network 14% 17%~~

~~14% Comment on a news story in a social network 20%~~

~~13% Talk online with friends and colleagues about a news story 18%~~

~~12% Share a news story via email 13% Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 87 10% Comment on a news story on a news website 10%~~

~~8% Share a news story via instant messenger 16%~~

~~Post or send a news-related picture or video to a social network 7% 11%~~

~~5% Take part in a campaign or group based around news story 6%~~

~~3% Post of send a picture or video to the news 5%~~

~~1% Write a blog on a news or political issue 3%~~

30% None of these 28% The most common reasons Irish consumers don’t share or comment on news stories online were: (1) they prefer face-to-face discussion [40 percent]; (2) they are not interested in commenting or discussion online [37 percent]; (3) they are concerned about online privacy [17 percent]; (4) they feel sharing and commenting makes no difference [15 percent]; (5) they have nothing to say or contribute [11 percent]. The percentage of Irish consumers not participating in news sharing is similar to the international average figure.

~~Fig. 86 Reasons for not sharing or commenting on news online Ireland and international~~

~~40% Prefer to discuss news stories with people face-to-face 37%~~

~~37% I am not interested in commenting on/sharing news 37%~~

~~17% I am concerned about my online privacy 15%~~

~~I don’t think that sharing/commenting can make a difference 15% 18%~~

~~63% 11% I do not feel I have anything to say/contribute 60% 12%~~

~~8% I am concered about being criticised or abused online 48% 7% 42% 41% 7% 40% None of these 10%~~

~~4% Don’t know 6%~~

~~4% I am concered about what others might think of me 4%~~

~~2% Other 2% Twitter YouTube Facebook~~

~~Ireland International~~

~~Why do you not share or comment on online news?~~

39% Talk with friends and colleagues about a news story 38% Share a news story via social network 21% 16% 16% 20% 27% 15% Rate, like or favourite a news story 21% Vote in an online poll via a news site or social network 14% 30% 17% Disagree 34% 14% Comment on a news story40% in a social network Neither 20% Agree13% Talk online with friends and colleagues about a news story 18%

~~12% Share a news story via email 13%~~

10% Comment on a news story on a news website 10% 88 54% 50% Digital News Report40% Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 8% Share a news story via instant messenger 16%

Post or send a news-related picture or video to a social network 7% 11% Take part in a campaign or group based around news story 5% Search Engines Social Media News Aggregators 6% 3% Post of send a picture or video to the news 5%

~~1% Write a blog on a news or political issue 3%~~

~~30% None of these 28% 40% Prefer to discuss news stories with people face-to-face 37%~~

~~37% I am not interested in commenting on/sharing news 37%~~

~~17% I am concerned about my online privacy 15%~~

15% I don’t think7.3 that sharing/commenting Social canMedia make a difference Filter Bubbles 40% Prefer to discuss news stories with people face-to-face 18% 37% 11% I do not feel I have anything to say/contribute 37% I am not interested in commenting on/sharing news 12% Serendipitous News Exposure 37% 8% I am concered about being criticised or abused online 17% I am concerned about my online privacy 7% A slight majority [54 percent] of search engine users15% reported they saw news they would not normally see, as did half of social7% media users and 40 None of these 15% I don’t think that sharing/commentingpercent can of make news a differenceaggregators. A fifth or less of the users 10%of these search 18% platforms disagreed with this general assertion. A4% variant of the above 11% I do not feel I havequestion, anything focused to say/contribute on news that Don’tdid not know interest the 6%consumer or did not 12% relate to the topic search, gave rise to broadly similar4% results. Consumers 8% I am concered about beingI aream concered morecriticised likely about or abused via what search online others engines might think to seeof me news from4% outlets they wouldn’t 7% normally use than via social media and news aggregators.2% Consumers are likely to see news they are not interested7% in via social media than via None of these Other 2% search engines and news aggregators. 10% 4% Don’t know 6%

~~4% I am concered about whatFig. others87 Serendipitous might think of meexposure to4% news outlets via online platforms 2017 2% Other 2%~~

~~16% 16% 20%~~

~~30% 34% Disagree 40% Neither Agree~~

~~16% 16% 20%~~

~~54% 50% 40% 30% 34% Disagree 40% Neither Agree Search Engines Social Media News Aggregators~~

~~54% When accessing50% news from search engines,40% social media, and aggregators, do you often see news outlets that you would not normally view?~~

~~Search Engines Social Media News Aggregators~~

~~Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 89 40% Prefer to discuss news stories with people face-to-face 37%~~

~~37% I am not interested in commenting on/sharing news 37%~~

~~17% I am concerned about my online privacy 15%~~

~~I don’t think that sharing/commenting can make a difference 15% 18%~~

~~I do not feel I have anything to say/contribute 11% 12%~~

~~I am concered about being criticised or abused online 8% 7%~~

~~7% None of these 10%~~

~~4% Don’t know 6%~~

~~4% I am concered aboutFig. what 88 others Serendipitous might think of exposure me to4% news stories across online platforms 2017 2% Other 2%~~

~~20% 15% 20%~~

~~27% 29% 35%~~

~~16% 16% 20%~~

~~51% 58% 46% 30% 34% Disagree 40% Neither Agree Search Engines Social Media News Aggregators~~

~~54% When accessing50% news from search engines,40% social media, and aggregators, do you often see news stories that you are not normally interested in?~~

~~Search Engines Social Media News Aggregators~~

~~90 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 7.3 Conclusion~~

Facebook and YouTube were the leading social media brands for any reason in 2017, with the former at the top by some distance. Irish news consumers use Twitter and Snapchat more than the average of their international counterparts. Some 41 percent of Irish Facebook users employ it as a route to news. The equivalent figure for their Twitter counterparts is only 11 percent. The most common way for Irish consumers to share or participate in news is by talking with friends and colleagues. A slight majority of search engine users reported they saw news they would not normally use, as did half of social media users and 40 percent of news aggregator users.

~~Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 91 Trust and Distrust in the News Media Dr Jane Suiter, Dublin City University~~

We’ve been looking at why people do and do not trust the news media over the past few years of this series. One thing is evident: there are clear issues around trust of news media and these have been reasonably consistent both in Ireland and internationally. One clear hypothesis is that the rise of social media has led to increased distrust of news media. The possible reasons for this are myriad but include the speed of dissemination of false news, the filter bubbles which social media can engender, and the algorithmic triggering of negative emotions. Given that the plurality of people now receive their news from social media, these effects are all compounded. News media have been in something of a bind driven by the nature of that relationship and the extent to which it is either symbiotic or parasitic. Social media, of course, give news media reach, but they also too often fail to differentiate between the fake, the quality, and the commercially motivated. We also know that the plurality of people do not understand the nature of algorithms and personalisation (Powers 2017) and indeed there are even questions as to whether Facebook does (Grohol 2017). However, for the news media there are encouraging signs. The New York Times added some 308,000 (net) new digital subscribers in the first three months of 2017, a record gain that has been partly attributed to the Trump presidency (Stel- ter 2017). The same was true of The Economist and The Washington Post among others. What this all points to is a possible realisation on the part of news media consumers that there is a difference between quality news and algorithmi- cally generated serendipitous news on social media. If that can be built upon more widely that would be a chink of light for the beleaguered industry. To unpack some of this we added some open-ended questions on why people do or do not trust media and crucially do and do not trust social media. These were asked alongside the questions about separating fact and fiction which is of course a core task of all news media. This question was also asked in the UK, US, France and Germany. More analysis looking at all five countries will follow. As we saw earlier (see page 43) Ireland’s news consumers have higher levels of trust in the news media than the international average. And more Irish news consumers believe Irish news is free of undue commercial and political

92 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland influence than the international average. In addition, some 43 percent of Irish consumers agree that social media does a good job distinguishing fact from fiction, compared to an international average of 37 percent. Very encouragingly for Irish news media three times as many respondents give reasons for trusting the news media as for distrusting it. And most people trust either because they believe in the professional standards, such as verification and sourcing and so on, or they simply believe the news media is generally unbiased. The kind of responses we see are that “they have reliable sources”, “they back up what they say with evidence”, “they call out fake news” and so on. In terms of people’s reasons for not trusting the news the largest category was a belief that journalists were unwilling to reveal the news with typical comments that “there is a lot of scaremongering”, or “they reveal one side” or “they tend to dramatize everything”.

~~Reasons to trust the news media % Reasons NOT to trust the news media %~~

~~There are multiple news sources available 10% The news media have a political bias. 7.5% and you can cross-check things.~~

~~The news media has professional standards 27.9% The news media have a commercial bias. 5.5% and verification practices.~~

~~I don’t necessarily trust the media but trust The news media are prone to sensationalism 5.3% 3.3% ‘this brand or that brand’. and exaggeration.~~

~~Journalists are not able or are not willing to The news media are generally unbiased and 28.8% reveal the trust (keep things back or are just 11.7% independent. (that’s my experience). bad).~~

~~Total 72% 28%~~

The word cloud overleaf is testament to this. We can see that the kinds of words people were using to describe why to trust the media were “sources” “fact” “think” and “check”. These are all the core of the standard journalism norms and ones that should be reinforced even at times when the business model is under pressure. In terms of the negatives, the largest was the belief that journalists played to agendas and kept information back. Some of this is no doubt inevitable but a greater focus on transparency among the news media would be help- ful to address these concerns. A similar number felt that the media either had a political or commercial bias, but again these are very low numbers. Lower indeed than in many other countries where the media is clearly more polarised.

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 93 Interestingly, when we turn to the reason why people trust or do not trust social media we see that the pattern is reversed. Here we can see that 68 percent of people give reasons as to why they distrust social media while 32 percent give reasons to trust. Turning first to those who trust social media, the major reason is the belief that the news here is unfiltered and comes from ordinary people including their friends. However, this only accounts for 11 percent of those who give a reason for trusting or distrusting social media. Very few believe in either crowd sourcing and even fewer in the access it gives to multiple professional sources. Far more people give reasons as to why they distrust social media with the two major reasons being that news on social media is unverified, and often hearsay or indeed fake. The sort of comments which respondents made here include “anyone can post rubbish”, “too much false information”, “opinion not facts”, “so many conspiracy theories” and “too many fake news stories” or a “lot of fake news and half-truths”. The word cloud (opposite) again points to some of these. Once again there is an emphasis on “facts” but this time it is more often accompanied by the word “fake”, “false” and “opinion”. This is just the start of this investigation. But the initial findings are encouraging for news media producers. At times of uncertainty people still want to feel that they can rely on an information source. They are still largely willing to believe in news media that produce credible, well sourced, verifiable and transparent news. This is an important finding and underlines the point that news media should focus on these attributes and ways of differentiating themselves. Separating their product from social may also be key.

~~94 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland Reasons to trust social media % Reasons NOT to trust social media %~~

~~Social media allows for different/alternative News on social media just consists of 8.0% 13.7% views to be aired people’s opinions.~~

~~Social media allows access to multiple profes- News on social media is unverified, and is 1.3% 21.6% sional news sources in an easy way often nothing more than hearsay and gossip.~~

~~Social media makes it easier to comment and News on social media comes from individuals discuss on the news, which makes it easier to 7.8% 7.8% who are biased (propaganda). work out what is true~~

~~News on social media is fact-checked by the News on social media encourages clickbait 3.9% 4.5% users. and sensationalism.~~

News on social media is democratic and unfiltered in that it comes from ordinary people 11.3 News on social media is often fake news. 20.6% (rather than journalists), some of whom are trusted friends

~~Total 32.3% 67.7%~~

~~References~~

Grohol, J. (2017). Even Facebook Doesn’t Understand Facebook’s Algorithms, Psych Central. Avail- able: https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2017/05/02/even-facebook-doesnt-understand-face- books-algorithms/?utm_campaign=crowdfire&utm_content=crowdfire&utm_medium=social&utm_ source=twitter#725043302295293953-tw#1493851964797 Powers, E. (2017). New Research Shows Students Are Largely Unaware of News Personalization, Media Shift. Available: http://mediashift.org/2017/03/new-research-shows-students-largely-unaware-news-personalization/ Stelter, B. (2017). New York Times has record subscriber growth -- and some bad news too. CNN Media. Available: http://money.cnn.com/2017/05/03/media/new-york-times-subscriber-growth/

~~Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 95 Paying for Journalism: A Shared Responsibility? Dr Eileen Culloty, Dublin City University~~

2016 was a bleak year for journalism and media freedom. Across the world, news media are threatened by creeping authoritarianism, regressive legal measures, and a “post-truth” culture of misinformation. In the US, attacks on the legitimacy of journalism are the central feature of President Trump’s rhetoric. Meanwhile, journalists in Europe are increasingly exposed to intim- idation and legal pressures (Machlin 2016). The factors undermining journalism in western democracies are complex and wide-ranging. They relate to anti-terror and surveillance laws, the policies of social media platforms, and rising social and political polarisation. In the wake of Brexit and the US presidential election, a mini publishing industry emerged to examine this unfolding crisis. To date, much of the discussion focuses on the failures and responsibilities of politicians, technology companies, and news outlets. Less attention is given to the public’s responsibility towards journalism; particularly, the public’s responsibility to pay for the online journalism it consumes. Protecting media freedom and funding sustainable journalism are two sides of the same coin because quality journalism cannot survive without the financial resources to conduct investigations, fight legal cases, and pay the salaries of journalists. Yet, media freedom and paying for journalism are often discussed in isolation. Consequently, the news media operate in a deeply paradoxical environment: there is widespread recognition that good journalism is vital to democracy, but large numbers of people are unwilling to pay for it. The Digital News Report reveals the extent of this gap in Ireland. Irish interest in news is consistently high and consumers rely on social media (52%) and online media generally (66%) as key sources of news. Yet, payment for online news has increased only marginally over the last three years, reaching 10 percent in 2017. This places Ireland in line with the international findings which reveal that, on average, only 13 percent pay for online news. In part, this reluctance to pay stems from the culture of free content that pervades online. Since the advent of the internet, we have become accus- tomed to getting information for free. The highly competitive nature of online English-language media compounds the problem as Irish news media are left to compete with all the other English language publishers. When asked why they do not pay for online news, 53 percent of Irish respondents

96 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland say it is because news is available for free and 25 percent believe it is not worth paying for. Over the past three years, levels of payment for online news have been low in all English-speaking countries. The UK remains the lowest at 6 percent. However, in the US, the so called “Trump-bump” is reflected in a seven percentage-point increase in online subscriptions and a three-fold increase in donations to news outlets. Moreover, 29 percent of those who pay in the US do so because they want to help fund journalism. A desire to fund journalism is found among 18 percent of Irish respondents, which is relatively positive when compared to the 13 percent international average. With so few people willing to pay for news, advertising is a key alternative revenue source for news media, but this fragmented market is also beset with problems. Online advertising generates far less revenue than traditional offline advertising and 56 percent of Irish respondents find adverts on news sites intrusive. Although younger people are less concerned about the intrusiveness of adverts, this attitude is negated by the fact that they are more likely to have an ad-blocker installed. Among the 36 countries surveyed, Ireland has one of the highest rates of ad-blocker penetration at 29 percent. Perhaps the most positive sign in the digital news report is that most new payments, particularly in the US, come from younger age-groups. In Ireland, the 18-24 and 25-34 age groups are most likely to pay for online news, at 12 percent and 13 percent respectively. Although the numbers paying are still low, this runs contrary to expectations that younger cohorts are unwilling to pay for online content. Despite growing up with free online entertainment, younger age-groups have developed the habit of paying for some media. In part, this may be because the creative industries have successfully, and somewhat aggressively, asserted their right to be paid for content they produce. The question now is whether news media can make the same case and whether the “Trump bump” is a temporary response to an extraordinary year or a lasting trend. The Washington Post’s new slogan reminds readers that “democracy dies in darkness”. A less dramatic message might suffice elsewhere: journalism is a vital service and we have a shared responsibility to pay for it.

~~References~~

Machlin, H. (2016) ‘Europe’s stark deterioration of press freedom’, Mapping Media Freedom, 28 April 2016. Available: https://mappingmediafreedom.org/plus/index.php/2016/04/28/report-eu- ropes-stark-deterioration-of-press-freedom/

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 97 Bypassing the News Media: Politicians and Pubic Regaining Control Dr Caroline Fisher, University of Canberra

Politicians around the world are increasingly using social media such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to communicate directly with voters. US President Donald Trump’s use of Twitter to announce policy and his personal opinion is a prime example of this. As this year’s Digital News Report shows, there is also a growing appetite amongst online news users to consume this information directly from politicians and parties, without it being filtered and edited by journalists. This ability to bypass the gatekeeper has the potential to turn the traditional relationship between journalists, politicians and the public on its head. In a traditional media environment dominated by mass media platforms – such as newspapers, television and radio – politicians and journalists were dependent on each other to fulfil their roles. The relationship was often described as ‘symbiotic’ whereby politicians were forced to rely on journalists to have their policies and perspectives relayed to the public; and the reporter was dependent on the politician for stories and information. The relationship can also be adversarial due to the desire each side has to control the release and presentation of information. This tension arises from the ‘watchdog’ role of journalism based on the ide- alised 18th Century conception of the press as members of the ‘fourth estate’, whose job it is to safe guard democracy by scrutinising those in power and holding them to account. However, in the current ‘hybrid’ media system (Chadwick, 2013) that includes both traditional and digital media platforms, the constraints of mutual dependence have been removed. Digitization means that anyone with access to the internet, including politicians, can publish via blogs and social media without needing to depend on mainstream journalists to reach the audience. This has also freed the audience from needing to rely on the news media to access information. In the traditional battle for control of information, the balance of power has now tipped in favour of politicians and other high profile figures, many of whom have much larger audiences than news organisations.

98 Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland This ability to bypass the news media is a phenomenon called ‘disintermediation’. It is also referred to as ‘direct representation’ or ‘self-representation’, or ‘self-publishing’. Disintermediation means not being ‘mediated’ or having your message edited, interpreted or filtered by the news media. Being able to publish directly to citizens using digital media platforms has been heralded for its potential to increase citizen and politician participation in the political process by allowing politicians and citizens to talk directly to each other about policy and thereby facilitate a more dialogic and delibera- tive democracy. At a time of cuts to newsrooms and an increasing reliance on public relations materials by journalists, this ability of politicians and other authorities to broadcast to the public without scrutiny can also have possible negative consequences. In the US we have seen US President Donald simultaneously abuse the news media as ‘fake news’ and masterfully counter critical mainstream coverage of his policies using social media to reach his army of followers. Acknowledging the benefits of this tactic, Trump is reported to have said: “It’s great. It’s like owning a newspaper but without the losses”. He is not alone. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also successfully used social media to bypass critical media since his election in 2014. Populist Australian politician, Pauline Hanson, threatened to bypass the mainstream media if journalists didn’t give her a “fair go”. She no longer speaks to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and uses social media to reach her followers instead. Taoiseach Enda Kenny used a direct YouTube video to announce the Irish general election in 2016 rather than make the statement in the Dáil. As one Irish political commentator put it: “Don’t underestimate the attraction to politicians of ‘disintermediation’, the ability to communicate directly with audiences without having to rely on broadcasters and newspapers. You can choose the time and terms of engagement of your policy statement, without any awkward questions or rebuttals. You can move fast, and you can attempt to create a bit of suspense and drama” (Linehan, 2016). At a time of low levels of trust in the news media and concern about ‘fake news’ and unreliable online information, this trend of self-publica- tion by politicians might serve to further muddy the waters for citizens attempting to discern fact from fiction, and non-partisan information from spin. At the moment in Ireland, the number of people choosing to follow politicians is a minority activity. But the motivations for those people who do, point to issues of dissatisfaction with the way mainstream news organisations are covering politics. These consumers would prefer to see the unedited information first-hand and have control over how they interpret it. Issues of fairness and completeness of political reporting also feature in the responses. So long as the traditional news media continue to attract the largest mass audience in this hybrid media system, politicians will maintain their traditional relationship with journalists and submit their policies and comments to

Digital News Report Ireland 2017 • DCU FuJo Institute & Broadcasting Authority of Ireland 99 scrutiny from the gatekeepers. However, if the size of the news audience on social media overtakes it, and people solely rely on social media for their news information, then the ability of politicians and others in power to publish their partisan views unchecked could raise serious questions about the ongoing relevance of the political news media by undermining its democratic ‘watchdog’ role.

~~References~~

~~Chadwick A. (2013) The hybrid media system: Politics and power: Oxford University Press. Linehan H. (2016) The politics of Twitter: Drama as Kenny unleashes #ge16. The Irish Times. Dublin.~~

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