Coronavirus ‘news fatigue’ starts to bite for Australians in lockdown

Description

During social isolation, Australians have been staying at home to stop the spread of COVID-19. This has resulted in an increase in news and media consumption. After weeks of restricted movement and social distancing, Australians are restless. Not only are they tired of being in lockdown, they are also feeling worn out by news about the coronavirus.

More than two-thirds of Australians (71%) say they are avoiding news about the coronavirus and this is largely driven by news fatigue. This figure is 9% higher than our usual rate of avoidance, according to the Digital News Report Australia 2019, which showed 62% of Australians avoid the news generally.

The findings are included in a report on Australians’ news and misinformation consumption during the COVID-19 outbreak. A national representative online survey of 2,196 Australians aged 18 and older was conducted by the News and Media Research Centre at the University of Canberra in April 2020.

https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-news-fatigue-starts-to-bite-for-australians-in-lockdown-137780

Period6 May 2020

Media contributions

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Media contributions

  • TitleCoronavirus ‘news fatigue’ starts to bite for Australians in lockdown
    Degree of recognitionNational
    Media name/outletThe Conversation
    Media typeWeb
    Duration/Length/Size800 words
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    Date6/05/20
    DescriptionDuring social isolation, Australians have been staying at home to stop the spread of COVID-19. This has resulted in an increase in news and media consumption. After weeks of restricted movement and social distancing, Australians are restless. Not only are they tired of being in lockdown, they are also feeling worn out by news about the coronavirus.

    More than two-thirds of Australians (71%) say they are avoiding news about the coronavirus and this is largely driven by news fatigue. This figure is 9% higher than our usual rate of avoidance, according to the Digital News Report Australia 2019, which showed 62% of Australians avoid the news generally.

    The findings are included in a report on Australians’ news and misinformation consumption during the COVID-19 outbreak. A national representative online survey of 2,196 Australians aged 18 and older was conducted by the News and Media Research Centre at the University of Canberra in April 2020.
    PersonsCaroline FISHER, Sora PARK, Jee Young LEE, Kieran McGuinness