More than 1,000 news providers globally have signed up to support World News Day, an initiative aimed at promoting the role of journalism in today's society. The event, which began in 2018, has grown in popularity and features editorials, ads, and cartoons from prominent media organisations such as the New York Times, Reuters, and the Kyiv Independent. This year's World News Day comes at a time when the journalism industry faces an existential threat, with trust in news dropping to a new low globally in 2026.
According to the Reuters Institute's latest Digital News Report, people are increasingly turning to social media and AI chatbots for news, contributing to the decline in trust. The report also noted that social media and video networks have overtaken news organisations' own websites and apps as the main source of online news. However, these platforms are trusted less than traditional news sources. Branko Brkic, co-organiser of World News Day and founder of South Africa's Daily Maverick, emphasised the need for media organisations to work together to stay relevant.
Brkic stated that established news organisations must respond to the changing media landscape and form a new equilibrium by joining forces. He believes that if media organisations continue to operate individually, they will become weak and vulnerable to being overtaken. Brkic also acknowledged that the mainstream media has made mistakes but stressed that professional and reliable journalists play a vital role in society. He urged media organisations to explain to their audiences the importance of choosing truth and trust.
The definition of "the truth" can be contested, as seen in the ongoing debate about fake news. However, Brkic emphasised that a society without facts and truth cannot function. He believes that the media is the infrastructure for an information-based society and that without it, society will struggle. World News Day aims to highlight the role of news providers in investigating and explaining important events.
The initiative also comes at a time when people are getting news from a wider variety of sources. According to a report by UK media regulator Ofcom, YouTube is growing rapidly as a news source, and 20% of people are using AI tools to access news. While this growing choice has led to greater uncertainty about who and what to believe, traditional providers are still seen as more trustworthy, accurate, and impartial than online platforms.
Brkic's comments were echoed by various media stakeholders in Ghana, who have been discussing the future of the new media and its impact on traditional journalism. The Ghana Journalists Association has been urging responsible journalism in the era of new media, while some have called for new media platforms to meet the same standards as traditional media.
As the media landscape continues to evolve, World News Day serves as a reminder of the importance of trusted journalism. With the support of over 1,000 news providers worldwide, the initiative aims to promote the value of professional and reliable journalism in today's society.
Key points
- Media organisations must work together to stay relevant in today's changing media landscape.
- Trust in news has dropped to a new low globally, with people increasingly turning to social media and AI chatbots for news.
- Traditional news providers are still seen as more trustworthy, accurate, and impartial than online platforms.
