Our projects include:
Gen Al and Journalism and Gen AI and Journalism: Towards common principles
Discover how Australian newsrooms are navigating the rise of generative AI in journalism. Our first report revealed cautious experimentation with AI tools by Australian newsrooms, highlighting both the potential to streamline news production and the critical need for transparency, editorial oversight, and ethical safeguards.
In our follow up research, we found Australian newsrooms continuing to grapple with the promises and pitfalls of generative AI. Our research reveals how editors and product leaders are cautiously experimenting with AI while safeguarding journalistic integrity. From back-end support to early audience-facing uses, the research explores a path toward common principles for trustworthy journalism in an AI-infused future.
Australia faces urgent questions about how to sustain public interest journalism. This report evaluates local and international regulatory interventions—including the News Media Bargaining Code and emerging global models—to propose practical reforms. With options like levies, discoverability mandates, and platform obligations, the report offers a strategic framework for ensuring public interest journalism remains visible and viable.
Funding the Way Forward: A Review of Local and International News Funding Mechanisms
This research explores alternative funding models beyond the News Media Bargaining Code to support public interest news and democracy and the ‘back-end’ of direct news funding interventions: structures for making funding decisions, transparency measures and what recipients have to do to confirm funds were spent as intended.
Future of Co-Regulation in the Digital Platform Era
Aiming to address the escalating challenge of online harms, such as disinformation, hate speech, and violent content, this project investigates the potential of co-regulation—where industry develops rules that are enforced by a regulator—to effectively mitigate these issues on digital platforms. Despite its widespread use in the communications sector, the concept of 'co-regulation' remains under-theorised, and its efficacy has not been systematically evaluated. This project will look at how Australia’s communications regulatory framework should be designed to simultaneously harness industry expertise while ensuring public policy objectives are achieved.
The future of News media standards schemes
This project examines the fragmented landscape of media codes in Australia and compares international models—starting with Denmark—to explore best practices in accuracy, fairness, and privacy. With insights from global standards and a forthcoming report, the initiative aims to inform reform and strengthen media accountability.
Improving Wikimedia resilience against the risks of content-generating AI systems
As generative AI tools increasingly rely on Wikipedia for training data and users turn to AI-driven search interfaces, the integrity of Wikipedia’s content faces new challenges. This project investigates whether current Wikimedia policies and practices are resilient enough to withstand risks like misinformation and declining editor engagement. Drawing on expert insights and policy analysis, the research maps out the key areas for possible policy expansion and adjustment of current practice to safeguard Wikipedia against the risks of generative AI.
The Enforcement of Telecommunications Consumer Protections
How effectively are Australia’s telecommunications consumer protections being enforced? This project offers a rare, data-driven look at enforcement actions taken by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) from 2010 to 2023. With over 500 actions against 309 providers, the report reveals patterns in regulatory responses and highlights gaps in transparency and accountability. It raises important questions about how enforcement decisions are made and calls for greater public access to compliance data.
Over three years, the Centre for Media Transition at UTS, supported by the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation mapped the challenges facing Australian regional news media and explored how metro outlets engage with local stories. In partnership with Guardian Australia, the project launched a rural reporting network, placed UTS journalism graduates in regional newsrooms, and produced three major reports (2022–2024) that offer insights into local news media sustainability, audience needs, and policy gaps. Dive into the research for insights into the state of regional news media.
Information Integrity Forum 2024
The Information Integrity Forum 2024, hosted by the UTS Centre for Media Transition in partnership with the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Australia, brought together senior editors from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines to tackle the growing threats to public interest journalism. Through keynote talks, newsroom case studies, and policy roundtables, the forum explored how generative AI, political interference, and social media dynamics are reshaping the media landscape. The event highlighted global best practices and innovative strategies—like pre-bunking and intra-newsroom safeguards—to strengthen information integrity across diverse media ecosystems.
Digital platform complaint handling
What happens when users have complaints about social media platforms—and where should they go? This UTS Centre for Media Transition project explores the viability of a Digital Platforms Ombudsman, as proposed by the ACCC, and evaluates how complaints are currently handled by platforms like Facebook. The research highlights gaps in existing mechanisms and proposes a hybrid model: expanding the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman’s role while establishing a central clearing house to guide users and track industry performance.
How do journalists navigate the ethics of reporting from conflict zones? The Centre for Media Transition at UTS, in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross, explored this question via in-depth interviews with seasoned correspondents and a thought-provoking symposium. Discover the real-world dilemmas faced by reporters like Stan Grant and Sophie McNeill, and examine the limits of traditional ethical codes in high-stakes environments. Visit the project page to delve into the full report and insights from leading voices in journalism.
How can public policy keep pace with the fast-changing ways we produce and consume news online—while safeguarding media pluralism in the digital age? The Media Pluralism and Online News project dives deep into this question, offering fresh insights into how algorithms, automation, and platform policies influence media pluralism in Australia and beyond. Spanning four years of research and supported by the Australian Research Council, the project delivers practical tools, policy recommendations, and global perspectives that are essential reading for anyone interested in the future of journalism and democratic discourse.
The UTS Centre for Media Transition’s Countering Violent Extremism project brought together journalists, policymakers, academics, and tech experts to discuss how extremists exploit media and digital platforms to amplify their messages. Through a dialogue-driven roundtable, the project explored the ethical dilemmas of reporting on extremism, the risks of platforming harmful ideologies, and the impact of media narratives on minority communities and social cohesion. Dive into the findings in our detailed summary report and explore how journalism can help disrupt radicalisation and foster resilience in the digital age.
TechCamp 2022: Countering disinformation
How can journalists fight back against the rising tide of disinformation? TechCamp Sydney 2022 brought together 40 emerging digital journalists from Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands for an intensive two-day Symposium. This dynamic event tackled the growing challenge of disinformation in regional newsrooms, equipping participants with practical tools, collaborative networks, and policy strategies to strengthen democratic resilience.Explore how this initiative is empowering journalists to counter information disorder and build a healthier media ecosystem.
What does it take to build resilience against misinformation in the Asia-Pacific region? From 2019 to 2022, the UTS Centre for Media Transition hosted the Sydney APAC bureau of First Draft, a global non-profit whose mission was to combat mis- and dis-information. Through training, research, and election monitoring, the bureau worked with journalists and media professionals to provide tools to verify information and protect democratic discourse. Explore the legacy and resources created to aid news consumers and journalists in a complex digital landscape.
Australian voluntary code of practice for disinformation
The Centre for Media Transition played a role in shaping Australia’s response to online disinformation by preparing the foundational Discussion Paper that informed the development of the Australian Voluntary Code of Practice. Commissioned by DIGI (Digital Industry Group Inc.) as part of a government-backed initiative, the Centre’s research provided critical analysis of regulatory challenges, international models, and public concerns—laying the groundwork for a code now adopted by major tech platforms to reduce the spread of harmful content online.
How can journalism better connect global events to local communities—and rebuild media trust in the process? The Glocalism project explored best practices for reporting at the intersection of global and local issues. A key innovation is the Frame Reflection Interview Tool, developed by Dr Chrisanthi Giotis, which helps journalists uncover new storylines by engaging directly with multicultural communities. Tested in international reporting and newsroom settings, this technique encourages deeper, more inclusive storytelling—especially on complex issues like climate change and public health.
Digital privacy and smartphones: Finding the consent sweet spot
What does “informed consent” really mean when it comes to smartphone privacy? This project explores how users understand and respond to privacy notices on mobile devices. Through workshops and research funded by the International Association of Privacy Professionals, the team identified a “sweet spot” for consent that balances usability with meaningful choice. The findings offer practical insights for privacy professionals and regulators navigating the ethics of digital consent.
Reimagining the media landscape
What role should journalism play in strengthening social cohesion and civic responsibility? The Centre for Media Transition at UTS, in collaboration with First Draft Australia and the Australian Baha’i Community, launched the Reimagining the Australian Media Landscape project to explore this question through a series of reflective roundtables. Drawing on diverse voices—from journalists and editors to academics and civil society—the project invited media professionals to rethink reporting practices, challenge divisive narratives, and to foster constructive storytelling.
What do Australians really think about the news they consume? Commissioned by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), the Centre reviewed existing research on public attitudes toward news—focusing on issues like commercial influence, impartiality, diversity and localism. The findings revealed major gaps in understanding how different groups engage with news, highlighting the need for more inclusive and targeted research. This work informed a national discussion paper and laid the groundwork for future policy and public consultation.
Consumer and public participation in industry regulation
As digital platforms reshape how media and communications are regulated, how can consumers and citizens have a real say in the rules that govern them? This project funded by ACCAN, maps how public engagement is used across 20 self- and co-regulatory schemes in sectors like advertising, telecommunications, and online services. The research identifies gaps, proposes a new classification framework, and offers 14 recommendations for reform to make regulation more responsive and inclusive.
In a rapidly evolving media landscape, how can journalism stay relevant, responsive, and resilient? The News Media Innovation 2020 project from the Centre for Media Transition at UTS explores this question through a comprehensive report that maps innovation across journalism, business models, distribution, and product development. It offers practical insights into how media organisations can better understand audience needs, support experimentation, and connect with innovators across the Asia-Pacific.
Regional news media: state of play
What does news look like outside Australia’s major cities—and is regional journalism really in crisis? This project explores how regional Australians consume news, what they’re willing to pay for, and how local editors and publishers are navigating digital disruption. This foundational research laid the groundwork for a multi-year initiative, supported by the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, that continues to investigate how regional voices can be better represented in national media and policy debates.
Impact of digital platforms on news and journalistic content
How are digital platforms reshaping journalism—and what does it mean for the public’s access to quality news? Commissioned by the ACCC as part of its landmark Digital Platforms Inquiry, this research investigates how platforms like Google and Facebook influence the production, distribution, and consumption of news. The report highlights risks such as algorithmic changes and AI-generated summaries, while also exploring how platforms might support diversity and quality in journalism.
Who’s suing whom—and where—when reputations are damaged online? This report offers a sharp, data-driven look at defamation in the digital age. Covering five years of cases across Australia, the research reveals surprising trends: private individuals are now more likely than public figures to be plaintiffs, and platforms like Facebook, Google, and email are common battlegrounds. The report sheds light on how digital publishing, social media, and search engines are reshaping legal risks for journalists, citizens, and tech companies alike.
Trust in journalism: Falling in love again
What will it take for audiences to trust journalism again? The explored this question through workshops and research that examined how Australians engage with news and what makes a source trustworthy. Funded by the Facebook Journalism Project, the initiative produced an annotated bibliography of global research and a report based on community conversations in NSW. The findings offer fresh insights into how news organisations can rebuild trust by listening to audiences and rethinking how journalism is delivered.