Australians trust the internet most

The internet is Australia's most trustworthy medium, according to a report commissioned by the Australian Government.

The Australia In The Digital Economy - Trust and Confidence study, from the Australian Communications and Media Authority, says that 25 percent of the population list the Internet as their most trusted source of information. This is followed by newspapers at 20 percent, TV at around 17 percent, and radio at about 13 percent.

Among the minority who are not online, radio is the most trusted medium. Only 1 percent of people chose magazines as their most trusted medium.

Note: 'All respondents' is the average responses of both internet users and non-users.
Source: Nielsen Online Australian Internet and Technology Report 2008, Australians aged 16+, (n=1456).

However, the report - based on a phone survey of just over 1,600 people carried out by Roy Morgan in May and June 2008 - cautions: "Generally there are three types of information available online: information on products, news and research information, and information obtained through peer-to-peer processes and online communities. Consumers may not be distinguishing between these types of information and may be confusing ease of access with quality of information."

The report also suggests that those who use social networking sites tend to be slightly more aware of privacy issues. It says that more than 80 percent take steps to protect their computer when social networking, just over half read the terms and conditions of the site and about 40 percent check what information about them third parties can access.

According to the document, 11.3 million Australians go online in any given month. It also demonstrates that online retail still has major barriers to overcome. Even among internet users, less than 30 percent say they are comfortable giving their credit card details over the internet while only 15 percent say they'd contemplate doing their grocery shopping online within the next 12 months.

Get more headlines every month - Subscribe to 7 Seconds