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The year ahead: Creators, technology, and the business of news

News

The year ahead: Creators, technology, and the business of news

Creator economics, artificial intelligence, audience priorities, revenue models, and leadership challenges - we mapped the trends that will shape newsrooms over the next twelve months

By Marcela Kunova •

Hunker down to survive the influencer-led news apocalypse — Credit: London Centric / Jennifer Forward-Hayter

News

Hunker down to survive the influencer-led news apocalypse

"Next year will expose the gaping void between what the British journalism industry produces and what mass audiences are actually consuming"

By Jim Waterson • 2 min read

Creators are the new editors

News

Creators are the new editors

"The winning formula won't be 'creators doing journalism' or 'newsrooms copying creators' - it will be a new hybrid role"

By Erika Marzano • 2 min read

News

Journalists' personal brand is worth more than employer-owned platform

'More legacy publishers will showcase in-house expertise in ways that mimic the creator sector'

By Jonathan Paterson • 2 min read

Quick reads

One-minute news updates

DMGT moves closer to Telegraph acquisition as RedBird IMI seeks government approval

RedBird IMI has formally asked the Culture Secretary for permission to transfer its interest in Telegraph Media Group to DMGT in a £500 million deal, marking a crucial step towards ending months of uncertainty over the newspaper's ownership

1 min read

The Guardian hires Netflix executive to lead product development

The global publisher has created a new senior role to develop its editorial platforms

1 min read

Public service media put security first when choosing AI tools

New research reveals public service broadcasters are walking a tightrope between adopting AI technology and protecting themselves from cyberattacks and political interference

2 min read

New PINF report: 4.4 million Britons live in news deserts

The updated PINF Local News Map reveals that deprived and diverse urban communities are hardest hit by local news closures

1 min read

ICFJ+ launches Plus Hub to deliver shared services for independent newsrooms

Small and under-resourced news organisations can gain access to enterprise-level tools, tech support and security

1 min read

111 journalists killed in 2025, with nearly half the deaths in Gaza

As 533 media professionals remain imprisoned globally, the IFJ is calling for urgent international action to protect press freedom and hold governments accountable for attacks on journalists

2 min read

Work smarter

Actionable tips to take back to your newsroom

How Uusi Juttu added 10,000 paying members in three weeks — Jakob Moll, co-founder and international director, Zetland, speaking at Newsrewired on 26 November 2025. Credit: Mark Hakansson / Marten Publishing

How Uusi Juttu added 10,000 paying members in three weeks

Zetland's Finnish sister title used the tried-and-tested method of turning existing readers into the most reliable source of audience growth

By Jacob Granger • 4 min read

The secret ingredient that makes true crime podcasts addictive - and why news podcasts need it — Dan McLaughlin (Reach plc, left) and Jacob Granger (JournalismUK, right) in conversation at Newsrewired on 26 November 2025. Credit: Mark Hakansson / Marten Publishing

The secret ingredient that makes true crime podcasts addictive - and why news podcasts need it

Have you ever been up all night binge-listening to a mystery show? There's a good reason why that happens

By Jacob Granger • 5 min read

Your questions answered: Lessons in AI from beyond journalism — Andrew Grill at Newsrewired on 26 November 2025. Credit: Mark Hakansson / Marten Publishing

Your questions answered: Lessons in AI from beyond journalism

You wanted to know how AI will impact the workforce, which industries lead AI adoption and why AI projects fail. Futurist Andrew Grill has you covered

By Jacob Granger • 5 min read

Anita Zielina's five signs of a strong AI leader — Anita Zielina, CEO of Better Leaders Lab, speaking at Newsrewired 26 November 2025. Credit: Mark Hakansson / Marten Publishing

Anita Zielina's five signs of a strong AI leader

AI is not a magic wand that will solve a messy strategy: top newsroom leaders make it okay to fail and provide clarity amongst the chaos

By Jacob Granger • 2 min read

Quick reads

One-minute news updates

DMGT moves closer to Telegraph acquisition as RedBird IMI seeks government approval

RedBird IMI has formally asked the Culture Secretary for permission to transfer its interest in Telegraph Media Group to DMGT in a £500 million deal, marking a crucial step towards ending months of uncertainty over the newspaper's ownership

1 min read

The Guardian hires Netflix executive to lead product development

The global publisher has created a new senior role to develop its editorial platforms

1 min read

Public service media put security first when choosing AI tools

New research reveals public service broadcasters are walking a tightrope between adopting AI technology and protecting themselves from cyberattacks and political interference

2 min read

New PINF report: 4.4 million Britons live in news deserts

The updated PINF Local News Map reveals that deprived and diverse urban communities are hardest hit by local news closures

1 min read

ICFJ+ launches Plus Hub to deliver shared services for independent newsrooms

Small and under-resourced news organisations can gain access to enterprise-level tools, tech support and security

1 min read

111 journalists killed in 2025, with nearly half the deaths in Gaza

As 533 media professionals remain imprisoned globally, the IFJ is calling for urgent international action to protect press freedom and hold governments accountable for attacks on journalists

2 min read

WAN-IFRA and FIPP announce historic merger

In a landmark move to counter the dominance of tech giants and AI, the world's two largest publisher associations are merging to create an unprecedented alliance of more than 20,000 media brands

1 min read

Iran calls BBC journalism 'media terrorism' in UN filing

The BBC has urged the United Nations to condemn Iran after the country accused its Persian-language service of terrorism and warfare in an official government document

1 min read

Community spotlight

Your say, your views

Community spotlight

Your say, your views

Four fears keeping you from becoming a consultant – and how to overcome them

Four fears keeping you from becoming a consultant – and how to overcome them

Stop talking yourself out of a rewarding career change, and start believing in what you have to offer

By Khalil A. Cassimally • 8 min read

My mission to interview 100 Indigenous people ahead of COP30 — Grace Murray, environment reporter and impact producer for The Bureau of Investigative Journalism

My mission to interview 100 Indigenous people ahead of COP30

As climate takes centre stage in Brazil in 2030, TBIJ’s Grace Murray is spotlighting local voices now — pushing the world to listen and act

By Grace Murray • 7 min read

The Public Method: redefining how to measure journalism's value — Jekke Mink (left) and Maike Olij (right). Courtesy of Sjoege

The Public Method: redefining how to measure journalism's value

A framework used by Dutch public broadcaster NPO considers how to measure the impact of news beyond data

By Maike Olij • 6 min read

Lucy O'Brien, platforms & social Media journalist, The Times and The Sunday Times

The rise of personalities: Why young journos need to build their brand early

Media employers want journalists who are confident on camera and can tell a story in 60 seconds

By Lucy O'Brien • 6 min read

Ex-BBC head of video: Make BBC relevant again

Ex-BBC head of video: Make BBC relevant again

The public broadcaster must ask itself the crucial question: would people miss it if it wasn't here?

By Jonathan Paterson • 4 min read

TikTok didn’t mean to become a breaking news platform - but it did

TikTok didn’t mean to become a breaking news platform - but it did

Prioritise presence over perfection when a major story breaks on TikTok

By Erika Marzano • 5 min read

Why every newsroom needs a transparency editor

Why every newsroom needs a transparency editor

It has to be somebody's full-time job to show how big decisions are made

By Wytse Vellinga • 4 min read

What marathon running can teach us about coping in journalism — Hannah Storm (centre) participating in the North Lincolnshire half marathon, Scunthorpe

What marathon running can teach us about coping in journalism

Long-distance running taught me lessons in endurance, pacing and self-care

By Hannah Storm • 5 min read

21st century journalism needs emotions to survive

21st century journalism needs emotions to survive

Neuroscience teaches us why emotions drive attention and engagement

By Luba Kassova • 6 min read

What can journalism learn from recipe videos?

What can journalism learn from recipe videos?

Viral food content creators have figured out that faces matter more than formats

By Jon Laurence • 4 min read

Discover

Deep thinking and expert analysis

Reach is launching paywalls, but its pursuit of page views isn't over — Reach plc director of growth, David Bartlett

Reach is launching paywalls, but its pursuit of page views isn't over

Manchester Evening News and Liverpool Echo have launched paywalls, as the news group hedges its bets on both reader and ad revenue

By Jacob Granger • 4 min read

Does AI actually 'unburden' journalists, like it was supposed to? — Jody Doherty-Cove speaking at Newsrewired on 22 May 2024. Credit: Frank Noon / Marten Publishing

Does AI actually 'unburden' journalists, like it was supposed to?

New research finds that journalists using AI do not think it always frees them up to do more creative work - but isn't that why we brought in the tech?

By Jacob Granger • 6 min read

How The Guardian, Contexte, and Iliffe Media are winning the subscription battle — Left to right: Lisa MacLeod (FT Strategies), Paul Fisher (Iliffe Media), Sacha Cayre (Contexte) and Liz Wynn (Guardian). Credit: Mark Hakansson / Marten Publishing

How The Guardian, Contexte, and Iliffe Media are winning the subscription battle

How do you get people to pay when they're used to free products or you're up against stiff competition?

By Jacob Granger • 4 min read

Ex-Google Madhav Chinnappa: 'NATO for news' model is our "least worst option" for dealing with AI — Madhav Chinnappa speaking at Newsrewired on 26 November 2025. Credit: Mark Hakansson / Marten Publishing

Ex-Google Madhav Chinnappa: 'NATO for news' model is our "least worst option" for dealing with AI

Would collective action provide stronger bargaining power and greater control? Or would it be too difficult to fairly distribute revenue and maintain collaboration?

By Jacob Granger • 2 min read

Training

Short-form vertical news: Creating impactful TikToks and Reels

Short-form vertical news: Creating impactful TikToks and Reels

13 January 2026 - Walk through the short-form vertical news process from start to finish with this two session online course

By Ophelia Birch • 1 min read

Foundational AI for Journalists: a practical bootcamp

Foundational AI for Journalists: a practical bootcamp

15 January 2026 - Build confident, ethical, day-to-day AI workflows — from brief, research and pitching to editing and publication — in one hands-on day

By Harriet Meyer • 2 min read

Copywriting for freelance journalists

Copywriting for freelance journalists

Online, flexible course: With the video version of Jackie Barrie’s sellout live course, you will learn how to transfer your journalism skills to copywriting, at your own pace - plus a free copy of Jackie's book

By Jackie Barrie • 2 min read

Media law masterclass

Media law masterclass

19 January 2026 - This five-week online course will show you how to work within the law to make the most of every story you cover

By David Mascord • 2 min read

Humans in journalism

Deep connection and human stories

New media diversity director Jaldeep Katwala: Why visibility isn't enough

New media diversity director Jaldeep Katwala: Why visibility isn't enough

From facing racist attacks as a child to becoming a prominent journalist, Katwala has spent four decades proving that adversity can fuel purpose. He’s now determined to ensure the next generation won't have to fight as hard as he did

By Jacob Granger • 3 min read

'My mentor helped me realise my worth in a competitive industry' — Naomi de Souza, a mentor from The John Schofield Trust, speaking at Newsrewired on 26 November 2025. Credit: Mark Hakansson / Marten Publishing

'My mentor helped me realise my worth in a competitive industry'

A mentee-turned-mentor of the John Schofield Trust explains how the calming presence of a news veteran helped her find her place in the industry

By Jacob Granger • 3 min read

The winner of our bag slogan competition (and the honourable mentions): "AI can't eat crisps" — Mustafa Bashari on Unsplash

The winner of our bag slogan competition (and the honourable mentions): "AI can't eat crisps"

Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry

By Jacob Granger • 3 min read

Jim Waterson on founding London Centric: "You've got to have a bit of joy" — Credit: London Centric / Jennifer Forward-Hayter. Caption: Jim Waterson, editor of London Centric, stands by an illegally-parked ice cream van on Westminster Bridge in central London.

Jim Waterson on founding London Centric: "You've got to have a bit of joy"

The former Guardian media editor has grown his Substack news title to 3.9k paying members with scoops, laughs and word of mouth

By Jacob Granger • 5 min read

Read more

Explore our archive of articles, interviews, and creative projects

Prepare for US-influenced threats to UK journalists

News

Prepare for US-influenced threats to UK journalists

"We can arm our journalists to confidently stride out into 2026, prepared to keep shining light into the darkest corners"

By Rebecca Whittington • 2 min read

2026 will be the year newsrooms finally confront their ‘fear factor’

Leadership predictions 2026

2026 will be the year newsrooms finally confront their ‘fear factor’

Research shows fear is reshaping innovation, independence and crisis reporting. Next year, journalism’s biggest challenge may be managing the emotions driving its decisions, writes François Nel

By François Nel • 2 min read

"Overserve the fans" will be a winning strategy

News

"Overserve the fans" will be a winning strategy

"When Taylor Swift appraised her Eras tour, she could also have been describing The Economist’s audience-building strategy for 2025"

By Kevin Young • 2 min read

The year ahead: Creators, technology, and the business of news

News

The year ahead: Creators, technology, and the business of news

Creator economics, artificial intelligence, audience priorities, revenue models, and leadership challenges - we mapped the trends that will shape newsrooms over the next twelve months

By Marcela Kunova •

AI-generated podcasts cause a punk rebellion — Credit: Mark Hakansson / Marten Publishing

News

AI-generated podcasts cause a punk rebellion

"Whilst celebrities chat amongst themselves in expensive studios, normies will find unique locations out and about in the real world"

By Dan McLaughlin • 2 min read

AI will own the demand for news content — Credit: Mark Hakansson / Marten Publishing

News

AI will own the demand for news content

"Just like Facebook became the front door for news around ten years ago, I think next year is when the shift will happen to AI services."

By Joshi Herrmann • 2 min read

'Flash teams' will fuel newsroom innovation

News

'Flash teams' will fuel newsroom innovation

"They form around a challenge and disband once the problem is solved"

By Khalil A. Cassimally • 2 min read

Some very radical collaborations are on the table

News

Some very radical collaborations are on the table

"What’s the point of journalism if it doesn’t reach the communities it’s meant to serve?"

By Rozina Breen • 2 min read

Meet our authors

The journalists and editors behind our stories

Jacob Granger

Jacob Granger

Jacob Granger is the community editor of JournalismUK

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Marcela Kunova

Marcela Kunova

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