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THEJOURNAL.IE HAS TOPPED the table of the most-read online news brands in Ireland, according to an authoritative new survey.
For the second year in a row, the Reuters Institute Digital News Report for Ireland has found that TheJournal.ie is the most popular online news source in Ireland.
Over one-third of consumers surveyed for the research by DCU’s FuJo Institute – 34% of them – said that they sought out TheJournal.ie as a source of news. This represents a growth of 2 points on the site’s poll-topping position last year.
RTÉ News came second to TheJournal.ie at 33% with the Irish Independent online dropping a point on last year to 30%. BreakingNews.ie was checked by 24% of those surveyed, with the Irish Times online at 21%, a drop of 2% on last year.
TheJournal.ie also topped the league as the main source of news online for those surveyed. Both this site and RTÉ News were cited by 21% of respondents as their main port of call for daily digital news. The Irish Independent online was checked first by 19%, while both BreakingNews.ie and Irish Times online both came in next at 12%.
(To view this graph in higher-res, click here)
The study, funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, shows that the audience for TheJournal.ie has a fairly even gender split with 34% of males surveyed saying they use it and 35% of females accessing the site. For a look at the age groups who are most likely to access the main digital news sites in Ireland, this graph has more information:
(To view in higher-res, click here)
Traditional news platforms
Of traditional news brands – broadcasters and newspapers – RTÉ’s TV news still rules the roost, with 51% of respondents saying they use it as a source of news and 38% saying it is their main source of news on a traditional platform. Sky News is next, with 32% of Irish people surveyed saying they use it as a source, RTÉ radio news third at 31%, BBC News at 29% and TV3 news at 27%. Print newspapers make an appearance after that with the Irish Independent checked by 25% of those surveyed. After that, local radio is a source for 22% of those surveyed, Today FM is at 20%, The Irish Times at 20%, Newstalk at 19% and local or regional newspapers and the Sunday Independent both coming in at 14%.
The report says: “Breakdown by gender throws up fascinating findings. In TV, more men than women watch Sky News and BBC News. The same applies to RTÉ News and Newstalk in radio; and to the Irish Independent in print.”
It continues:
Broadly, in TV, audience share increases with age. For example, the largest cohort of all, at 72%, watching RTÉ TV News, is also the oldest. Similarly, RTÉ Radio News captures the largest and oldest audience at 49 percent in the 55+ category. A similar pattern is seen at the Sunday Independent with its highest percentage readership level being in the 55+ category. A greying audience must be of some concern to media managements in each of these news organisations.
Trust in news
The average Irish news consumer is more trusting (slightly) of the news they receive here than their average EU counterpart (71% of Irish people surveyed say they trust the news they consume, versus an EU average of 62%).
However, a minority of those surveyed said they had trust in news which they found through social media channels such as Twitter, Facebook and so on (only 19% felt they could trust sources they discovered on these platforms). Saying this, over half of those surveyed access news through social media, at 53%. This is second only to those who say TV news is their main source (56%). Radio comes in at 45%, online sites at 44% and newspapers as a main source have fallen from 40% last year to 35% this year.
Director of FuJo, Dr Jane Suiter, notes that “recent studies have found that those who are older, centrist and tend towards the consumption of traditional media tend to trust both their own media and media in general more than others”, which fits with the Irish market even if this is changing as the trend towards digital sources continues to grow.
Dr Suiter also points out:
But other factors also matter; in particular concerns about disinformation, perhaps particularly in referendum and election campaigns where perceived political bias is a concern.
There is a good deal of talk around the concept of ‘fake news’ and this research shows that there is a wide definition employed by Irish news consumers around what constitutes ‘fake news’ for them. This can range from “unintentional mis-information such as poor journalism (a concern for 56% of consumers) and the deliberate manipulation of content through fabricated stories (a concern for 61%), distorted facts (a concern for 59%) and advertorials (a concern for 46%),” according to DCU’s Dr Eileen Culloty.
She adds:
“Fake news” means different things to different people and so the public perception of the problem is amorphous.
“In Ireland, only 28% understand the role of algorthims” in controlling how news bubbles up on a personal social media feed, according to the survey. The researchers suggest that there is a greater need for digital literacy among the population and that there should be continued support for initiatives across Europe to help news consumers better understand who is feeding them information and how they can decipher the reliability of this information.
Who’s willing to pay for news?
There was more positive news for online news in this category with more Irish news consumers paying for online subscriptions in 2018 when compared to 2017 (from 10% to 12% – in 2015, that figure was just 7%).
When looking at those who will consider paying for news online this year, fewer people say they are “very unlikely” to do so – 66% agreed with that statement last year while 48% agreed with it this year.
Over one-fifth of Irish news consumers would consider making a donation towards a news project here this year (22.4%). That is above the UK (17.6%) and the EU average of 19.7%).
Snowflake generation.
@Seán Dillon: I’m no fan of Hook, he’s a loudmouth know-it-all. I’d have absolutely no problem whatsoever telling him that to his face either, if I were unfortunate enough to have to opportunity. I’d expect to get some back in response though. If you can’t take it, don’t give it.
@John Considine: as he’d say you’re entitled to your opinion. That’s what I personally like about hooks shows, you don’t have to agree with him all the time or even ever.
@neilo: It’s a derogatery term for people who stand up for themselves.
@Sean Conway: It’s a derogatory term for people who can’t stand up for their arguments
@Daniel Rea: Isn’t that why people are afraid to speak out. because your boss wont give you another contract. and who’s going to pay the mortgage. sad but true.
The sooner George Hook is brought back the better, we need someone like him who is not afraid to speak his mind on air and not be afraid of the politically correct (loonies) contingent out there.
@Charles Coughlan:
Absolutely …george to me is brill.straight from the hip like mick o leary of ryanair..
Pity our politicians dont take a leaf from his book
@Larry Whelan: yes he can be good but I think we all needed a break from him for a while. His whinging voice was starting to sound like an air raid siren as he built himself up into apoplexy over the latest perceived outrage.
@Charles Coughlan: amen to THAT!!!!
I don’t like the guy…I thought he was brutal as a rugby pundit…but I salute anyone who says it like it is in today’s society.
@Larry Whelan: They can afford to talk in that manner when they are backed by billionaires.
@Sean: love George, he tells it like it is, there is an on/off button on all devices – which everyone has the freedom to use should they be utterly shocked at programme content. Bring back George hook.
good on you George.
Delighted and the sooner george hook is back on the air the better….. the more listeners for newstalk, yates and hook were the only two worth while (kennys not bad either in fairness!)
I don’t listen to the radio since there’s this internet thing. But while we’re on the subject I seem to recall a certain Cork radio personality who whipped his lad out on an airplane and started pleasuring himself. After a six month hiatus he was back on the radio. Hook isn’t even in the same universe. What’s wrong with people? Get over it. Snowflakes indeed.
@Virtual Architect: Long time ago that was, he assaulted no 1 so why bring it up? He wasn’t doing it on air and besides who hasn’t knocked one out while on a long flight.
@neilo: so switch the dial and keep it moving. Problem – don’t like hook.
Reaction – b!tch about it online.
Solution – don’t listen to him.
Quite simple really.
@Let free speech live: is it not the same thing Louis CK did? Also, wasn’t a long haul flight. London to Cork as far as I remember.
- Newstalk argued that Hook’s personality is central to the tone of the programme and the audience would be familiar with his “larger than life, gregarious and outspoken persona”
Sounds like whoever wrote this also penned Al Porter’s ‘apology’
@Guy Incognito: hook’s regular listeners probably aren’t the easily offended types so this description is okay.
The complainant in this case is a sh@& with nothing better to be doing with him or herself
@Guy Incognito: do you know for fact the same person wrote both or are you just slandering for the craic?
@Luka Savić: Sorry for triggering you Luka
@Luka Savić: Do you know for a fact what “slandering” means or are you just throwing it around to look clever?
@Neal Ireland Hello.: I’m satirising Guy Incognito.
@Guy Incognito: “Sounds like whoever wrote this also penned Al Porter’s ‘apology’”
What utter b0ll*cks .. Hook was hounded pout during a witch hunt, which was covered by all media .. Whereas almost silence on Al Porter .. Haven’t heard mrs pc himself Matt Cooper say much on Porter, compared to shows devoted to anti Hook rhetoric.
The pure hypocrisy of the social commentators, media and PC brigade as Hook made some comments about a sexual assault of a man on a woman, and was punished for it as it suited the social commentators, media and PC brigade narrative .. Al Porter is gay, so f all really in the media about his as it does not fit the social commentators, media and PC brigades..
And before you go even more, I cannot stand Hook and usually disagrees with his views and have sent some choice texts to him in the past. He may and possibly should have lost of job before for other comments, but no it was this one because its suits the narrative.
@Irish Bob: Cooper has his head so far up his own backside he makes Chris Donohoe sound good.
At least Newstalk have seen the light. Now let’s get the rest. They’re like a very nasty virus.
@Harry Roberts: Agreed. Cooper is now the most aggressivly PC presenter on air. It has ruined his show as he used to be a little more questioning. Read somewhere that he is looking for a new job so is proving his liberal/leftie credentials. Must be looking to compete with Fintan or Una in the IT.
@Guy Incognito: It was a joke. Calm down.
What George says on air pales into insignificance compared to what some other celebrities have been getting up to.
@John Quill:
What George say on air is similar to what the majority of the adult population say
Just change the channel if you don’t like what you hear.
Sitting at home waiting for something to lodge a complaint about.
I’d like to punch them in the face.
@John ward: The only problem with that, is that there are limited spaces available on the public airwaves, and, like in other countries, they are slowly being amalgamated into one or two big owners.
@John ward:You too seem like one any parent would be proud of. Why change channel Because a bully says you should
@Guy Incognito: sounds like someone loves the Dil.
Good man George..
@Luka Savić: Dil who?
Nice one, George, the only broadcaster worth listening to.
@Guy Incognito: slander? It’s a joke don’t get your knickers in a twist Dil.
God .. I miss you George .. That One at lunchtime is brutal !
I’d be fairly liberal, but I have to say, I love listening to Yates and enjoyed Hook when he was on air. Much better than listening to the crap 10 song playlists the other stations are churning out these days.
@Darren Bates: Could not agree more. And I’m definitely one of those libtard snowflakes- there are just too many signs for me to ignore it. Still, I did enjoy listening to George. He is very much a grandad figure, sure he’d say the wrong thing sometimes, but it was out of innocent ignorance, never malice. Hope he returns. Yates is good too!
@Number 14: Oh there you are! I have a bone to pick with you… I have only one account here mister! So there.
@Number 14: I feel a friendship blossoming!
@anthony campion: “Thats showbizz baby!” – Eamon Dunphy
‘Newstalk argued that Hook’s personality is central to the tone of the programme and the audience would be familiar with his “larger than life, gregarious and outspoken persona”’
So , then its ok for him to call people ‘shits’? Don’t see the logic there. Plenty of other broadcasters are like this but don’t refer to their listeners as ‘shits’. Glad to see the back of him and everything he represents (in a word, mediocrity)
@andrew: It’s okay to call people shits when they’re acting like shits…
@andrew: in a word yes, IF they act as such.
@Guy Incognito: what about his jokes though? Do you think they’re funny?
@Luka Savić: Got anything to back that up or are you just slandering for the craic?
We need more George hooks and the radio.
I’m sick of pc cheer leaders like mat Cooper. …
If only he was al porter the comments would be closed
There is one or two big sh*ta at Newstalk all right…..
Hookie boy always was a guttersnipe. Expecting anything better is silly.
What amuses me is that Hookie boy is as derogatory if not more derogatory of his admirers as he is off his detractors.
There is a living fossil quality to Hookie boy. It’s like he is a living remnant of thre 1950s. I can see why he has such a nostalgic appeal to the old reactionaries.
Expecting any better of Hookie boy is just silly.
@Fiona deFreyne: you can keep saying Hookie Boy all you like like a stuck record but it doesn’t change the fact that Newstalk had to reinstate him and get rid of the PC zombies. Because people like his straight talking and can’t stand Donohoe or any of his clones.
Clearly changing the dial works.
@Fiona deFreyne:
He called them a shit. Have you ever heard an adult call someone a shit in their life? Have you managed to get through life without calling someone a bad name. Earlier this afternoon you were saying all of our politicians were moral pygmies. Was that meant as a complement?
@Fiona deFreyne: ever think of changing the dial so you personally don’t have to listen to hook? You have a choice, so get give it a rest.
Sorry Hook was not on during the Circus that went on for the last week Our elected playing a game with the people they left in dire streets They all should be ashamed of themselves But that is only .for those with scruples This is not hindsight I posted the outcome 5 days ago and said that they would not retract t heir insults to Wallace and Daly who were right for years
Snowflake pc brigade….go and f….off.
This is disgraceful. It is protectionism of the media by their own. Irrespective of what the tweeter stated, there is a greater onus on the presenter to respond in an acceptable fashion. In this Hooke failed miserably and that should have been reflected by the BAI’s decision. What is the point of having regulators if they do not regulate properly and fairly? This type of regulation has already been seen in the banks etc.. Self regulation (or near enough) is akin to self protectionism. You can’t make exceptions just because you like someone. That is inequity at its best/worst. Hooke has run his show like his own personal soapbox, without giving those that he castigated a fair right of reply. Given that his bias was usually broadcast without any representative of those that he was doing down, present, then a fair right of reply was next to impossible. Even if he gave those an opportunity at another time to reject his bias, it is not equivalent to being able to respond at the initial broadcast. Statements even if biased carry greater weight when they go unchallenged, not to mention that the same audience will not be there on a different day.
I get why some people like listening to him as he is not “vanilla” like a lot of other presenters but I for one can’t stand his shows. He invites guests on who are quite often experts in their fields and then spends the whole interview interrupting them so he can lecture everyone on why he is right or trying to distil a complex statement down to two words that are not even relevant to the topic. Same old stories about his life rehashed a thousand times. I respect him for not being afraid to give an opinion but jesus he can bang on with the best of them. I for one will gladly take Ivan Yeats over him when stuck in the car on the way home!
@number14: Faceless and nameless, you’re a brave mouthpiece.
@Luka Savić: Yeah well, I’m sick of your unfunny bollocks.
@anthony campion: Do
Silly old man enjoy your comfortable retirement in Foxrock. L
I really think Hook is enjoying the notoriety and controversy.I wish he would just retire and go away.he IS a gruff arrogant old man and has done his time.
Get lost george please and leave us all alone.
You are like a cranky old neighbour.
Come on George Hook get back on air and make more of these morons run home to mammy.
have your say