Should I use “they” to refer to “the audience” in this context?

Question

The audience has already recognized the existence of water pollution—they just refuse to admit it. In order to keep this audience reading, the author has to reveal the truth subtly rather than pointing it out bluntly.

Should I use it to refer to the audience, as in it just refuses to admit the truth?

Answer 1

Use "they" because it's a group of some individuals like family, comunity, group and so on and so fort. The reference of a group of people or such uses "they"