World Press Trends Outlook 2024–2025: Executive Summary
Key findings from a survey of more than 240 media leaders around the world
Ahead of World News Media Congress 2025, I am publishing WAN-IFRA’s flagship annual research report, chapter by chapter, here on Medium. The report has previously only been available to WAN-IFRA members, but is now freely available to all. (It’s also available in full, and free to download, here.)
This is the 35th annual World Press Trends Outlook report, an annual study from WAN-IFRA (World Association of News Publishers) that offers an in-depth look at the current and future state of the global news media industry.
As in previous years, this study is grounded in findings from a comprehensive survey of senior media executives and newsroom leaders. More than 240 participants, across 85 countries, contributed insights into pivotal areas of the news media business. This includes trends in revenue generation, business outgoings, digital transformation, relationships with technology platforms, and press freedom.
These expert insights, coupled with case studies from around the world, offer us a fresh perspective on the health of the news industry and today’s media landscape.
Key Findings
1. Revenue Trends
- Print remains a significant revenue source for many news publishers, accounting for 45% of total income among our survey participants. However, reliance on print is falling. It is down from 57.5% of publisher revenues in 2023 and 53.5% in 2022.
- Digital revenues grew by 7% year-on-year. They now constitute over 31% of total revenues, as multiple publishers successfully implement paywalls and digital subscriptions, while at the same time monetising products such as podcasts and newsletters.
- Publishers continue to invest in efforts to diversify their revenue streams. Alternative income streams — such as events, e-commerce, and memberships — are gaining in traction. They now account for nearly a quarter (23.8%) of total revenues.
2. Digital Transformation and Business Outlook
- While digital transformation is maturing, only 10% of publishers rate their efforts as “sophisticated.” Developing markets face greater challenges, with 51% of respondents describing their efforts as “emergent.”
- Optimism in the industry is rising, with 61% of respondents feeling positive about the next 12 months, increasing to 64% over the next three years. This is driven by factors such as growing revenue diversification, technological advances, and strategic acquisitions.
3. Outgoings and Investments
- Editorial costs now account for nearly 37% of publisher budgets, up from 28% in 2023, reflecting efforts to deliver distinct content and new verticals.
- The amount of publishers’ budgets going to print has decreased slightly, and investment in product development has halved since last year. Product remains an important focus, so decreased costs are likely to be the result of maintaining and developing existing products, instead of creating new ones.
- Investment in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Analytics Tools are also pivotal to the strategic priorities of news publishers in the coming year.
4. Artificial Intelligence and Relationships with Platforms
- AI is transforming workflows, and is being used for everything from creating audio articles, through to deployment of dynamic paywall and chatbots. However, challenges remain around issues of copyright and company-wide adoption.
- Relationships with platforms continue to evolve. Partnerships with video, messaging, and AI platforms have shown the greatest improvement over the past 12 months. However, revenue from platform partnerships dropped to 12% of total revenues in 2024, down from 15.1% last year.
5. Press and Media Freedom
- Attacks on media freedom are increasing globally, with rising incidents of online harassment, cyberattacks, and physical violence against journalists. Over 70 journalists have been killed so far in 2024.
- Regulatory actions, legal threats, and platform censorship further threaten media independence, especially in developing markets.
- Shining a light on these issues, as well as investing in initiatives like anti-SLAPP legislation and digital safety training, is critical to protecting journalists and fostering media freedom.
Moving Forward
The latest edition of WAN-IFRA’s World Press Trends Outlook reinforces the resilience of the global news industry. News publishers are making progress in their efforts to diversify revenues, and actively investing in AI and other technologies to support on-going digital transformation. As a result, more than half of our survey respondents (54.5%) reported an increase in their overall revenues over the last 12 months.
However, the news industry continues to face challenges such as declining print revenues, shifting consumer behaviors, and the need for continued innovation. Moreover, press freedom continues to come under attack in many parts of the world. To counter these negative pressures, the need for collaboration, training, and advocating on behalf of the industry, is as important as ever.
Report Methodology
The World Press Trends Outlook 2024–2025 report is based on data gathered from a comprehensive online survey distributed by WAN-IFRA to senior media executives worldwide. The survey was conducted from July to September 2024 and was available in four languages: English, French, Spanish, and German. This multilingual approach ensures both inclusivity and a broad geographic representation.
Respondent Overview
The survey gathered 242 responses from senior media executives across 85 countries, providing insights from diverse media markets in both developed and developing economies.
Using classifications from the World Bank, respondents spanned a spectrum of market contexts: 58% came from high-income economies, with 42% in developing regions. This diversity in respondents is critical for a nuanced understanding of global trends, especially as media dynamics vary widely across different economic landscapes.
Half of respondents (50%) hold C-suite roles, including CEOs, Publishers, and Owners, reflecting senior leadership perspectives in the global news industry. The remainder included Commercial Directors, Heads of Strategy, and Executive Editors (43%), offering a balanced view of strategic and operational insights.
Data Sources and Analysis
This report integrates responses from WAN-IFRA’s proprietary survey and previous World Press Trend studies. Our findings are supported by further conclusions from other WAN-IFRA reports and leading research organisations. Findings are further augmented by case studies from around the world which illustrate many of the themes and ideas explored throughout the report.
Key metrics such as revenue, circulation, and advertising were evaluated in partnership with PwC’s Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2024–2028. Additional audience insights were enriched through collaborations with analytics firms like Chartbeat, enabling a multifaceted analysis of reader behaviours and engagement trends.
By combining proprietary data with external insights, WAN-IFRA’s 35th annual World Press Trends report provides a holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing news publishers worldwide. Within this, historical data from our previous studies continues to serve as a valuable benchmark, enabling us to track shifts over time in revenue mix, market share, and digital transformation.
As a result, WAN-IFRA’s annual World Press Trends report provides a well-rounded view of the strategic priorities, challenges, and opportunities faced by news publishers across the global media landscape.
About the Author
Damian Radcliffe is a journalist, researcher, and professor based at the University of Oregon. He holds the Chambers Chair in Journalism and is a Professor of Practice, an affiliate faculty member of the Department for Middle East and North Africa Studies (MENA) and the Agora Journalism Center, and a Research Associate of the Center for Science Communication Research (SCR).
He is an expert on digital trends, social media, technology, the business of media, the evolution of present-day journalistic practice, and the role played by media and technology in the Middle East.
