Ireland’s Evolving News Landscape: Curated, Selective, and Personal

The landscape of news consumption in Ireland is undergoing significant changes, as revealed by the recent Core Research REVIEW 25. The report highlights how the public’s relationship with news has transformed over the past decade. While fewer individuals are aware of the news around them, those who remain engaged place a higher importance on the stories they choose to follow.

A decade-long analysis by Core Research, which surveyed over 120,000 people, unveils a trend of selective engagement with news. The findings indicate a growing disconnect between the volume of news and the public’s awareness. According to the report, only 41% of respondents frequently or sometimes avoid news due to negative mood impacts, information overload, or the prevalence of war and political content. Despite this, 20% of individuals in Ireland pay for online news, reflecting a continued appreciation for professional journalism amidst a selective approach to consumption.

Shifting patterns in news awareness are notable. Compared to five years ago during the Covid pandemic, fewer people now feel informed about current events, with awareness falling to below 60% over the past three years. This decline contrasts with an increase in perceived importance, from 65% to over 70%, among those who remain engaged. As individuals curate their news intake, they increasingly regard the stories they follow as more consequential.

Changing Sources of Information

The review also highlights a generational divide in news consumption habits. Older adults tend to rely on traditional media formats, with 57% of those over 40 watching live TV news or documentaries daily, compared to 36% of younger adults. Similarly, 55%36% of their younger counterparts do the same.

In contrast, younger generations are gravitating towards more personalised news sources. Nearly 48% of individuals under 40 stream online video for news each day, compared to 30% of older adults. The use of social media influencers as news sources has also risen significantly, with 38% of younger adults turning to these figures for information, compared to just 23% of those over 40.

The rise of platforms like WhatsApp has further altered the news landscape, with 65% of younger adults using the messaging service daily to share news and information, compared to 53% of those aged 40 and above. This shift signals a movement away from institutional news sources towards a more networked, community-driven approach to information dissemination.

Implications for the Future

As awareness of news declines and the importance of selected stories rises, the implications for societal understanding and engagement are profound. The diverging news ecosystems suggest that different generations may interpret Ireland’s challenges and future in vastly different ways.

The data underscores a pivotal question: Are people disengaging from traditional news, or are they simply consuming different realities shaped by personalised content feeds? The evolving relationship with news indicates a deliberate curation process, where individuals are not rejecting information outright but are instead choosing to engage with what resonates most with them.

Finian Murphy, a researcher and strategist focused on public sentiment, culture, and communities, emphasizes the significance of these findings. As Ireland navigates a complex information landscape, understanding how people engage with news will be crucial in addressing the changing needs of the public.

The insights from the Core Research REVIEW 25 challenge conventional notions of news consumption, revealing a society that is both selective and engaged, albeit in a uniquely modern way. As traditional media faces challenges, this new era of information curation will continue to shape public discourse and cultural understanding in Ireland and beyond.