WAN-IFRA membership Survey 2025: Shaping the Future of Global Journalism
The world of news is in constant flux. From evolving consumption habits to the rise of artificial intelligence, navigating this landscape requires a collaborative spirit and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead. At WAN-IFRA, we deeply value the insights of our global community – journalists, editors, publishers, suppliers, and industry professionals – and our recent annual membership survey reflects that commitment. This article details the key takeaways from the 2025 survey, announces the winners of our World News Media Congress ticket draw, and outlines how your feedback will directly shape the future of our initiatives.
Why Your Voice Matters: The Power of Collective Insight
In a media ecosystem grappling with misinformation, declining trust, and economic pressures, the role of trusted journalism is more critical than ever. WAN-IFRAS strength lies in its ability to convene, connect, and champion the interests of a diverse global network. The annual membership survey is a cornerstone of this process, providing invaluable data that informs our strategic direction. this year’s response was particularly robust, offering a rich tapestry of perspectives on the evolving needs of the news industry. We received feedback from across continents, highlighting both common concerns and unique regional challenges.
Key Themes Emerging from the 2025 Survey
While a comprehensive analysis is underway,several key themes consistently emerged from the survey responses. These insights will be presented to our internal and advisory boards to guide our priorities for the coming year.
* AI Integration & Ethical Considerations: The most prominent topic was, unsurprisingly, the impact of Artificial intelligence (AI). Respondents expressed both excitement about AI’s potential to enhance efficiency and improve content creation, and significant concerns regarding ethical implications, job displacement, and the spread of AI-generated misinformation. A recent report by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism (November 2024) found that 70% of news leaders are actively experimenting with AI, but only 35% have clear ethical guidelines in place. this highlights a critical need for industry-wide standards and training.
* Enduring Revenue Models: Finding sustainable revenue models remains a top priority for publishers. The survey revealed a continued shift towards diversified revenue streams, including membership programs, events, and data analytics services.Though, reliance on digital advertising continues to be a concern, with many respondents citing the dominance of tech platforms and the challenges of maintaining ad revenue in a fragmented digital landscape.
* Combating Misinformation & Building Trust: Restoring public trust in journalism is a persistent challenge. Respondents emphasized the importance of clarity, fact-checking, and media literacy initiatives.There’s a growing recognition that simply reporting the news is no longer enough; news organizations must actively demonstrate their commitment to accuracy and accountability.The 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer shows a continued decline in trust in media globally, underscoring the urgency of this issue.
* Professional Advancement & Skills Gap: The rapid pace of technological change necessitates continuous professional development. Respondents identified a growing skills gap in areas such as data journalism, AI literacy, and audience engagement. There’s a strong demand for training programs that equip journalists with the skills thay need to thrive in the digital age.
* Local Journalism‘s Vital Role: The importance of local journalism was consistently highlighted. Respondents stressed the need to support local news organizations, which play a crucial role in informing communities and holding local authorities accountable.
Celebrating Our Community: World News Media Congress Ticket Winners
To express our gratitude for your invaluable contributions, we conducted a random draw (powered by AI, naturally!) among survey participants. We are delighted to announce the following winners of complimentary tickets to the World News Media Congress in Marseille, France:
* Reach PLC, United Kingdom
* Bennett Coleman & Co Ltd, india
* Chemnitzer Verlag und Druck GmbH & Co.KG, Germany
Congratulations to our winners! We look forward to welcoming you and all our members to Marseille for what promises to be an inspiring and informative event. The Congress will feature leading experts, innovative case studies, and networking opportunities designed to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities facing the news industry. https://www.worldnewsmediacongress.org/
What Happens Next? Turning Feedback into action
The survey data is currently undergoing a detailed analysis. The findings will be presented to WAN-IFRA’s internal teams and advisory boards to
