The Local & Independent News Association (LINA)’s annual membership surveyed 77 publishers which collectively operate 139 news services, with more than a quarter of publishers (27%) running multiple newsrooms or mastheads.
One third (34%) of publishers identified their news organisation’s future as being uncertain or at-risk. However, key indicators of sustainability, including median revenue and average number of employed staff, increased in 2025 compared to previous years. Fewer publishers identified as being in the “emerging” stage, with more identifying as being in phases of business growth or maturity.
LINA Executive Director Claire Stuchbery said the respondents represented a new cohort of the media industry, with the median age of news organisations being nine years (founded in 2016).
“We refer to these grassroots organisations as the ‘green shoots’ of the news industry,” she said.
“They have emerged, many during COVID lockdowns, and expanded in response to broader industry contractions and closures. These newsrooms play a vital role in combatting misinformation and disinformation, representing diverse and regional voices, and supporting social cohesion and community resilience.
“Further, we are pleased to support the launch of a number of new services in areas with no local news coverage through our Newsroom Starter Kit and direct assistance. This helps ease the pathway for individuals and community groups to provide high quality public interest journalism.”
Artificial intelligence is already reshaping newsroom operations, but survey findings indicated some hesitation from publishers, with significant risks to publishers, and existential threats to the industry overall, anticipated or already emerging due to AI. Half of publishers (51%) reported that their news organisations had adopted AI to drive efficiencies.
The top use of AI within news organisations was for ‘limited editorial support’ such as search engine optimisation, copy-editing or headline suggestions, followed by administrative tasks. Of those using AI at all, less than a quarter of publishers said their news organisation was using AI for content generation.
The average news organisation was supported by two full-time-equivalent paid employees, two volunteers, and two paid freelancers. Almost a third of LINA-member news organisations (31%) said they hired more staff in FY2025. The median full-time equivalent staffing increased steadily from 1.2 in FY2023, to 1.7 in FY2024 and 2.0 in FY2025 (for the 24 news organisations surveyed across all three years).
The top source of revenue for news organisations was advertising, with the median revenue for news organisations in FY2025 being $298,000.
“These survey findings largely reflect the experiences of smaller, newer independent publishers, who shoulder many challenges unique to their news organisations’ size and resourcing, but who also grapple with sector-wide pressures felt across the media landscape,” Stuchbery said.
“A common thread that emerged from many responses is that despite pressures, independent newsrooms persist, innovate and achieve milestones that demonstrate their resilience and enduring value.
“While there is no doubt that running a small newsroom is exceptionally difficult in today’s information environment, the growth in newsletter subscriptions and website traffic reinforces a desire for relevant and reliable news content. This survey speaks to the number of stories being published that would otherwise remain untold.”
The survey report details findings relating to content, audience, news organisations and trends.
Read the full report.
About us:
The Local & Independent News Association (LINA) is a not-for-profit national industry association representing 170+ digital, local and independent newsrooms. LINA's mission is to increase the diversity and relevance of news services in communities across Australia by providing new and existing independent digital news services with capacity-building support, expert advice, access to critical third-party services, and more.
For more information about LINA and its initiatives, visit lina.org.au.
Contact details:
Claire Stuchbery
M: 0403 520 765
Nell O'Shea Carré
M: 0468 774 682