Journalism, media, and technology trends and predictions 2025 (reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk)

A new report examining journalism, media, and technology trends predicts significant challenges for the news industry by 2025, including increased political attacks, economic pressures, and the disruption caused by AI platforms that could diminish news visibility. The rise of AI-generated news summaries poses a threat to traditional media’s traffic, as audiences shift towards alternative news ecosystems where influencers operate outside conventional journalistic norms. Despite this turmoil, many news organizations are hopeful, anticipating an uptick in traffic and subscriptions driven by events like a potential second Trump presidency. Key findings from a survey of digital leaders highlight a mixed sentiment regarding the future of journalism, with only 41% expressing confidence in the industry’s prospects while 56% are optimistic about their business models. Publishers recognize the need to innovate, focusing on product development in audio and video while leveraging AI for personalization to re-engage audiences. The report indicates a keen interest in building relationships with AI platforms to enhance content visibility. As publishers navigate these challenges, they face a need to balance embracing transformative technologies with maintaining core journalistic values, ensuring they attract and retain both talent and readership in a rapidly evolving landscape.