Issues and Challenges in the Sphere of Media and Entertainment in Australia, New Zealand, and the USA 

(compiled by Lilian Schmid) 

Media in Australia, New Zealand, and the USA is facing a convergence of challenges: digital disruption, declining trust, economic instability, and political pressure. Each country’s media landscape reflects unique local dynamics, but the underlying issues are strikingly similar. 

Australia: Digital Disruption & Trust Crisis 

• Generative AI & Job Losses: AI is reshaping journalism, with 88% of journalists concerned about its impact on quality and integrity. Job losses linked to AI adoption rose by 33% in one year. 
• Declining Trust & Misinformation: Over 75% of Australians worry about online misinformation. Social media’s algorithmic news feeds risk narrowing exposure to diverse perspectives. 
• Revenue Decline & Audience Fragmentation: Traditional broadcasters are losing viewers to streaming platforms. Shows like The Project were cancelled due to poor ratings, forcing outlets to explore subscriptions and partnerships. 
• Regulatory Pressure: the News Media Bargaining Code mandates tech platforms to share revenue with local news providers, adding complexity to digital operations. 

New Zealand: Financial Strain & Structural Reform 

• Economic Vulnerability & Layoffs: Media companies face layoffs, closures, and reduced profits. The end of the Public Interest Journalism Fund has left a fiscal cliff. 
• Trust Decline & Misinformation: Trust in media continues to fall, with misinformation spreading across social platforms. Local outlets struggle to maintain credibility. 
• Regulatory Reform & Funding Shakeups: Proposed mergers (e.g., NZ On Air and the Film Commission) aim to streamline funding, but political disagreements and piecemeal legislation hinder progress. 
• Audience Shift & Local Content Challenges: Audiences are moving to global platforms like Netflix, threatening local content production. A proposed levy on international streamers may help fund domestic media. 

United States: Press Freedom & Political Hostility 

• Press Freedom: Under Threat Assaults on journalists rose by over 50% in one year. Legal challenges, police violence, and online harassment are rampant. 
• Polarization & Political Rhetoric: Hostile rhetoric—like labelling journalists “enemies of the people”—continues to undermine media credibility. The legacy of such attacks persists across administrations. 
• Economic Pressures & Lawsuits: Media outlets face costly lawsuits and declining ad revenue. Local journalists lack the safety resources of national outlets, increasing vulnerability. 
• Public Broadcasting Under Scrutiny: NPR and PBS face political pressure and funding challenges, while local stations struggle with hostile legislators and shrinking budgets. 

Overview of Issues with the Media 

Challenge	Australia	New Zealand	USA
AI Disruption	High concern, job loss	Emerging threat	Growing threat, safety risk
Trust in Media	Declining	Declining	Record-low, politically charged
Economic Sustainability	Revenue decline	Fiscal cliff, layoffs	Lawsuits, ad revenue drop
Regulatory Pressure	Bargaining Code	Messy reforms	Legal threats, PRESS Act stalled
Political Hostility	Moderate	Low	Severe, press freedom at risk
Audience Fragmentation	Streaming dominance	Global platform shift	Polarized consumption

AI is reshaping media landscapes across Australia, New Zealand, and the USA, but not without significant challenges—ranging from job displacement and misinformation to regulatory pressures and ethical concerns.

Key Challenges with the Media 

Here’s a breakdown of the key challenges in each country. 

Australia 

• Job Displacement & Workforce Anxiety: Generative AI is automating content creation, leading to job losses and heightened insecurity among journalists. A recent survey found 88% of Australian journalists are concerned about AI’s impact on journalism integrity, with a 33% rise in job losses linked to AI adoption. 
• Public Distrust & Misinformation: Australia ranks high globally for concerns about online misinformation—75.1% of adults express worry. AI-driven content moderation and recommendation systems often lack transparency, exacerbating this issue. 
• Union Pushback & Reputation Risks: While 71% of media coverage on AI is positive, social media sentiment is largely negative. Unions have become vocal critics, with mentions of union commentary around AI surging 265% between May and June 2025. 
• Regulatory Pressure: The government is cracking down on platforms that fail to curb misinformation, with fines up to 5% of global revenue. The News Media Bargaining Code also forces tech giants to share revenue with local news outlets. 

New Zealand 

While specific reports on New Zealand are less frequent, similar trends are emerging: 

• Content Authenticity & Editorial Standards: New Zealand media faces challenges in maintaining journalistic standards as AI-generated content becomes more prevalent. Concerns mirror those in Australia regarding misinformation and editorial integrity. 
• Limited Infrastructure for AI Oversight: There’s a growing need for national research infrastructure—like Australia’s proposed “social cyber range”—to test and analyse AI’s impact on digital platforms. 
• Smaller Market Vulnerability: New Zealand’s smaller media market makes it more susceptible to monopolistic practices by global tech platforms, especially in AI-driven ad targeting and content distribution. 

United States 

• Misinformation & Deepfakes: The U.S. media grapples with AI-generated misinformation and deepfakes, especially during election cycles. The scale and sophistication of these threats are unmatched globally. 
• Algorithmic Bias & Editorial Control: AI-driven recommendation engines often reinforce echo chambers and bias, raising ethical concerns about editorial independence and democratic discourse. 
• Economic Disruption: Traditional media outlets face declining ad revenues as AI enables hyper-targeted advertising on digital platforms. This shift undermines local journalism and public interest reporting. 
• Regulatory Fragmentation: Unlike Australia’s centralised approach, the U.S. lacks cohesive federal regulation on AI in media, leading to inconsistent standards and enforcement. 

Shared Challenges Across All Three Countries 

• Transparency of AI Systems: Recommender systems and automated decision-making tools often operate as black boxes, making it difficult to audit or explain their influence on news distribution. 
• Ethical Use of Generative AI: Balancing innovation with journalistic ethics remains a core challenge. Media outlets must ensure AI tools don’t compromise truth, accountability, or public trust. 
• Need for Cross-Disciplinary Research: Experts call for collaborative research across tech, media, and policy sectors to address these emerging challenges and build resilient media ecosystems. 

 References 

1. Report finds shifting media landscape as Australia confronts digital news challenges – Digital Media News
2. Navigating the Challenges Facing New Media in Australia – Australia Journalists Association
3. The last 14 months in New Zealand media: a chilling play-by-play – The Spinoff
4. Changes are underway for the media industry, but it’s a messy process – RNZ News
5. US press freedom under unprecedented pressure, report finds – VOA News
6. US press freedom under unprecedented pressure ahead of election, CPJ report finds – Committee to Protect Journalists
7. What is happening to the USA’s public broadcasters? – Public Media Alliance
8. New Report: Emerging technology and challenges of AI and Automated Decision-Making in News and Media – ADM+S Centre
9. AI, work and the media: Coverage positive, but social conversations negative as the voice of unions grows, Medianet report reveals. – News Hub

 

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E T W (End-Time Writers) 
& 
The ETW Music Collective 

Our first NEW SONG …! 

‘RAIN’ 

     Our dear friends and prayer partners Lilian and Bjorn Schmid have asked us to share our writing and music ministry from our recent re-launch. 

    The new ETWMC music initiative, is a natural creative growth of ETW, through a synergy of trusted relationships; forged over decades, gathered by the Lord Jesus to create music together for a time such as this. 

     Today we are releasing our first unique epic stand-alone track, ‘RAIN,’ from our ongoing music vision of new songs and the ongoing ‘End-Time Album’ project. Also the blog article ‘The New Sound’, by Stephen Bennett (ETW Founder – click link below). 

‘The New Sound’

     ‘RAIN’ is epic cinematic music, calling for the mighty rain of the latter rain of the Holy Spirit, to soak the nations in all His glory, power, thunder, and might. This sound track unleashes EPIC; as are the music sounds of heaven seen in the book of Revelation – bigger than we can imagine! 

     Our purpose now? Create an epic new sound of prophecy, warning, and awakening for these rapidly moving end-times. To prophesy ‘to the breath’ of churches, cities and nations, in governing spiritual power (Ezekiel 37). 

     Declaring a wake-up call to the reality of these last days we live in. To help bring new life, as Holy Spirit speaks to listening believers and churches in the end-times. There is a new sound coming to ultimately help fulfil God’s final purposes for music on earth while we are still here. It’s now time to sound it into the world. 

“Ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain…” 
(Zechariah 10:1, James 5:7) 

For You 

      Please read the article blog, ‘The New Sound’, By Stephen Bennett (Founder of End-Time-Writers). There is also more info on the ETW Music Collective, and the journey of the ‘RAIN’ song. (See the dropdown links on our new website www.endtimewriters.com – ‘About’ and ‘Music-Rain’. 

      We invite you to participate in our first hearing experience of the epic cinematic ‘RAIN’ track. 150 hours of work produced this powerful prophetic ‘Rain Song’ (literally and musically! ‘Yes, many times the red record button was hit in the studio – and it actually rained outside!’) Read the stories in the dropdown link (Music-Rain) on the ETW website. We pray that ‘RAIN’ stirs and excites your spirit! 

“As a music producer, I have never produced a track like this before at that level, the process was profound; a life change moment” Kevin Rankin: Arranger, Producer and co-writer of RAIN. 

“RAIN is the epic re-forging of a song I wrote 20 years ago. Kevin’s work is masterful, sensitive to the Spirit, and fulfilled a cinematic epic dream!” Stephen Bennett: Founder End-Time Writers / ETWMC. 

     In the website drop-down links, ‘Music-Rain’ and ‘About’ we share our personal experiences with creating the music, especially Kevin Rankin, and his story as the main producer, of re-forging the ‘RAIN’ track, with it’s incredible cinematic sound. 

Listening to ‘RAIN’ 

     Enjoy it as often as you like; over and over, please soak it up! We would also love your help to get many ears listening to ‘RAIN.’ As the song moves your heart and spirit, feel free to share the song link, and this email, directly to your friends and anyone else to Hear the Sound! 

‘Rain’ © Music & Lyrics, By Kevin Rankin & Stephen Bennett, 2025.

The first release track by The ETW Music Collective of www.endtimewriters.com – Music for the last days on earth.

‘RAIN’ Song – Listening links: 

‘Play loud through a great headset or speakers!’ 

Two listening options for you! 

Tonic audio 
(High res Wav file for the audio enthusiast, click RAIN icon and play) 
https://tonicaudio.com/s/JKoNrHvVgiX4IVs1

Sound cloud 
(A black drop down ‘Sign in…’ box may appear, but ignore it and click the X in the circle top right to remove box and listen to RAIN) 
https://on.soundcloud.com/qjekdFuKTR9Yg1CB6x

Rally for Support 

     Please, also encourage people to join the ETW team, and follow the vision. Subscribe with us on the homepage of the ETW website for updates. 

     We pray you will join us too, as the music opens your heart and spirit. Please consider supporting this vision through our GoFundMe goals. 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/end-time-writers-collective

     We are taking the practical steps of faith and working on many new tracks, and your partnership with us will be highly valued! (See the website homepage under support for various levels of giving, and what we would like to initially do for you). No limits. 

 Feedback 

     We invite your valuable written feedback and response either by the ETW site email info@endtimewriters.com or the contact page (See ‘Contact’ on website). 

     Finally, we are all looking forward to releasing many more epic sounds, both cinematic and a full band complement, preparing exciting new music and reforging others as the Lord leads us; can’t wait for you to hear them! 

     The Lord has been preparing us for the last few years with this new music vision for ETW, for a time such as this (Esther 4:14). To release a new sound for these end-times. We hope you are blessed and will join us too! 

Founder: Stephen Bennett and the ETW Team. 
(Remember after listening: send us your comments and thoughts) 
E: info@endtimewriters.com
 Or via the website contact page 
Follow and Subscribe for ongoing news 
& ‘End-Time Album’ track releases 
www.endtimewriters.com

As you are moved through the music and sound please 
Support this extensive music project 
Donate on our GoFundMe page 
https://www.gofundme.com/f/end-time-writers-collective

Thankyou everyone – The ETW / ETWMC Team!

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
(Jeremiah 33:3)

 

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Prayer Strategy for the Media 

Lilian Schmid’s prayer strategy for the Media Mountain focuses on interceding for truth, integrity, and godly influence in all forms of communication. 

Here’s a detailed breakdown of how to pray for the Media sphere based on her book 40 Days Prayer and Fasting for 7 Mountains or Spheres of Influence. 

Purpose of Praying for the Media Mountain 

The Media Mountain includes television, radio, newspapers, magazines, internet platforms, and social media. These channels shape public opinion, influence culture, and either promote truth or distort it. 

Lilian Schmid emphasises that prayer can shift media from being a tool of manipulation to a voice of righteousness. 

Strategic Prayer Focus Areas 

Truth and Integrity 

• Pray that media outlets will uphold truth and resist sensationalism or bias. 
• Ask God to raise up journalists and content creators who value honesty and justice. 

Gatekeepers and Influencers 

• Intercede for editors, producers, and executives who control what is published or aired. 
• Pray for their hearts to be softened and guided by divine wisdom. 

Protection from Manipulation 

• Ask God to expose and dismantle deceptive narratives and propaganda. 
• Pray against the spread of misinformation and divisive content. 

Promotion of Godly Values 

• Pray for media to highlight stories of hope, redemption, and moral courage. 
• Intercede for Christian voices to be amplified in mainstream and alternative media. 

Technological Stewardship 

• Pray over the platforms and algorithms that determine what people see. 
• Ask for ethical innovation and responsible use of digital tools. 

Youth and Media Consumption 

• Intercede for the protection of young minds from harmful content. 
• Pray for discernment and healthy boundaries in media engagement. 

Suggested Prayer Routine 

(from Lilian Schmid’s 40-Day Guide) 

• Day 1–5: Focus on repentance for misuse of media and invite God’s cleansing. 
• Day 6–15: Pray for media leaders and decision-makers. 
• Day 16–25: Intercede for content creators, journalists, and influencers. 
• Day 26–35: Pray for the audience—discernment, wisdom, and hunger for truth. 
• Day 36–40: Declare God’s promises over the media and thank Him for transformation. 

Scripture Anchors 

• John 8:32 – “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 
• Philippians 4:8 – “Whatever is true, whatever is noble… think about such things.” 
• Proverbs 12:22 – “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” 

If you wish to get a full copy of Lilian’s book 40 Days Prayer and Fasting for 7 Mountains or Spheres of Influence go to this link to find out more –  https://prayerstrategy.org/books/

Bjorn and Lilian Schmid 
Prayer Coordinators 
Spheres of Influence 
www.prayerstrategy.org
https://prayerstrategy.org/books/
+61412766917