The rise of artificial intelligence (AI), changing social media policies and shifting news consumption patterns among younger audiences are just some of the headwinds that journalism will need to navigate. At the 2024 World News Media Congress, held by the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) in Denmark in late May, some of the most frequently mentioned terms are listed below.

1. AI in the newsroom

In its early stages, AI was introduced into various stages of the newsroom workflow. The technology was being used in news production, such as data collection and analysis, transcription, translation, and summarization and “headlines.” AI was also being used for business.

There is a consensus among newsrooms that AI should be used in areas where it makes work more efficient and frees up resources so that staff can focus on producing more valuable news. According to Financial Times CEO John Riding, AI actually “frees up resources to invest in some of the traditional strengths of quality media, excellent journalism.” However, newsrooms need to establish clear guidelines and policies on the use of AI not only internally, but also for readers.

2. 'Freemium' paywall

Many news organizations are experimenting with a variety of payment models, including “freemium” paywalls, a combination of the words free and premium. This model allows readers to access basic articles for free, but requires a subscription to read exclusive, high-quality content.

Freemium paywalls help newspapers maintain a certain level of page views, with advertising serving as the mainstay of revenue. Some media outlets that have adopted the freemium model include the UK's Daily Mail and German news site Blick.

social media news source 1536x1024.jpeg
Journalism must change to adapt to rapidly changing news consumption trends. Photo: metamorworks

3. B2B vertical content

As an additional revenue stream to the traditional B2C model, news organizations are increasingly moving to B2B, providing business content that is more relevant to businesses than individual readers. Providing specialized content is also a way to differentiate in the current journalism landscape.

“In a world of digital abundance, you need to find your ‘rarity.’ When you find it, you find your value. When you find your value, you can decide the price,” said Juan Senor, president of media consultancy Innovation Media Consulting. Some examples of news organizations that have adopted this model include the Financial Times, France’s Groupe Sud Ouest and Denmark’s Watchmedia.

4. Emphasize authenticity

Verification is becoming increasingly important with the rise of AI and the influence of social media. By dedicating resources to ensuring that news content is factually based and accurate, newsrooms can build trust with readers and enhance their brand. They can then pay to read news from newsrooms they trust. Verification also makes business sense. AFP is a leader in this.

“The press acting as a fact checker will be the new ‘added value,’” Senor said. “People will pay to verify fake news.”

5. Sell news in packages

News bundles have been around for a while. According to the New York Times, the growth in paid users is partly due to people subscribing to bundles that include news, games, and product recommendations.

The components of the package are diverse and varied, spreading to other industries. For example, readers can subscribe to a news website and receive discounts on online entertainment content platforms.

(According to Korea Times)