The Future of News Media: 3 Trends Shaping the Industry in 2024 and Beyond
Key insights from the World Press Trends Outlook 2024–2025
Last month saw the publication of the World Press Trends Outlook 2024–2025, the 30th edition of an annual report by WAN-IFRA (World Association of News Publishers). I led the writing of the report, and recently shared a TLDR for the International Journalists’ Network (IJNet).
Based on a survey of over 240 senior media executives from 85 countries worldwide, the report identifies key trends that will shape the industry’s future and provides valuable insights to guide strategic decision-making.
Here are three key issues highlighted in the report and my piece for IJNet.
1. The Business of News is Still on the Edge
For years, news organizations have been trying to diversify revenue streams. Yet, the financial challenges persist. Digital subscriptions, advertising, and reader revenue aren’t growing fast enough to offset print decline. Suffice to say, that’s a problem.
2. AI Is Here — But Newsrooms Are Still Catching Up
From automated reporting to AI-driven content recommendations, AI is changing how journalism is produced and consumed. But while some see opportunity, others see risk — especially when it comes to editorial integrity and misinformation.
3. Journalism Is Under Pressure From All Sides
Beyond economic struggles, press freedom, political interference, and platform dependence continue to shape journalism’s future. These forces aren’t new, but they’re intensifying in ways that demand new strategies.
So, where do we go from here?
💡 I explore these trends and others in this article. The piece includes four key priorities that will enable media organizations to move forward, based on some of the positive and inspiring case studies featured in the report.
Damian Radcliffe is the Carolyn S. Chambers Professor in Journalism, a Professor of Practice, and an affiliate of the Department for Middle East and North Africa Studies (MENA), at the University of Oregon. He is also a Fellow of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University. Damian authored the core analysis of the latest edition of World Press Trends.
