Trust in major news brands as avoidance grows - report

Despite a notable decrease in overall trust in news, a significant portion of the Irish population continues to place their confidence in established major news brands, according to the annual Digital News Report for Ireland 2026.

The report reveals a sharp eight-percentage-point drop in general trust, with only 42% of adults now reporting they trust most news most of the time, down from 50% last year. This trend coincides with a record high in news avoidance, as 47% of Irish adults admit to actively trying to steer clear of news content, an increase from 41% in the previous year.

However, amidst this growing skepticism, RTÉ News and local radio news emerge as the most trusted sources, both cited by 71% of respondents. Traditional print media also maintains a strong standing, with 'local newspapers' and The Irish Times each trusted by 69% of Irish people. While interest in news has slightly waned compared to the pandemic era, Ireland's trust levels in news remain higher than in the UK, the US, and the European average.