Photo of a man in a blue outfit reading the paper on a couch

Older Australians at risk of loneliness as local newspapers go digital

As printed local newspapers dwindle and head online, older Australians mourn the loss and comfort of the rituals that go with them.

Published: 28 February 2025
  • national
  • 28 February 2025
  • ABC News

Getting up at the crack of dawn to buy the morning paper at the local shop, meeting others doing the same, and settling in over cuppas to read the headlines, do the crossword, or catch up on births, deaths and marriages – these are just some of the rituals that a lot of older Australians mourn as their morning paper goes digital.

This video from ABC Carpentaria meets some of those people and finds out how no more printed papers can lead to isolation and loneliness.