A study (pdf) released this week by the Pew Internet & American Life project says the internet is the primary news source for young people and heavy users of broadband, reports USA Today. Within a "high-powered" group of internet users - those who use broadband four or more times a day - 71 percent go online for news on an average day, whereas 59 percent get news from local TV, just over half from national TV and radio, and about 40 percent from local newspapers. But especially for the under-36 age group, online news plays a greater role, the study finds.

High-powered users are engaged with a range of news topics. Nearly all (97 percent) have gotten news about one topic online, and nearly half (45 percent) have gotten news about at least five of the topic areas. Some 79 percent of them have gotten news about politics and public affairs (28 percentage points more than other broadband users); 73 percent have gotten news about science and technology online (a 30 point margin over other broadband users); and 73 percent have gotten news about entertainment (a 25 point margin).

Mainstream media must immediately integrate online or risk losing the next generation of news consumers, says study author John Horrigan. "Mainstream media need to search for the right business model that integrates the online experience into what they do. We're seeing the beginnings of a significant segment of the population having their daily newsgathering habits formed by what they see on the Internet."