The Digital News Report Ireland 2026 highlights a rapidly changing news landscape, with audiences increasingly consuming news through digital platforms, social media and AI-powered services. However, amid declining trust in news overall and growing concerns about misinformation, radio continues to stand out as one of Ireland's most trusted and resilient news media.

One of the report's most significant findings is that overall trust in news has fallen sharply, dropping from 51% in 2025 to 42% in 2026. Despite this decline, trust in Ireland's established news organisations remains remarkably strong. RTÉ News and local and regional radio are jointly ranked as the most trusted news sources in Ireland, each achieving a trust rating of 71%. This places radio ahead of local and regional newspapers (69%) and demonstrates its enduring credibility in an increasingly fragmented media environment.

The report suggests that while people are becoming more sceptical about the wider information environment—particularly news encountered via social media, search engines and emerging AI tools—they continue to place confidence in professional journalism delivered through trusted broadcasters. Indeed, 51% of respondents trust the news they personally consume, compared with just 16% who trust news found on social media and only 14% who trust news provided by AI chatbots. Concerns about distinguishing real from fake information online have also increased, rising from 68% to 71% over the past year.

The report also reinforces the importance of public service media, which enjoys stronger public support in Ireland than in many comparable countries. Respondents cite universal access, trustworthy news and high-quality journalism as the principal reasons they value public service broadcasting. This underlines the continuing importance of broadcast media in supporting an informed public and democratic discourse.

Younger audiences ,according to the study, increasingly discover news through algorithmic recommendations on social media, and AI is beginning to emerge as a news source, particularly among 18–24-year-olds. Nevertheless, these new channels have not yet established the levels of trust enjoyed by radio and other established news brands.

The report also identifies growing challenges for the news industry. News avoidance has reached its highest level ever in Ireland, with almost half of adults (47%) saying they actively avoid the news at least some of the time. At the same time, social media referrals to news publishers continue to decline, while changes in search technology and AI are reshaping how audiences discover journalism.

Overall, the findings present a positive picture for radio. While audiences have become more cautious about the news environment generally, radio continues to command exceptional levels of trust, reflecting its reputation for reliable journalism, strong local connections and established news brands. At a time when misinformation, AI-generated content and fragmented media consumption are creating uncertainty, the report suggests that radio remains one of Ireland's most dependable and valued sources of news and information.

Click the button below to download the full report.