5 things to know about the future of journalism

The media has experienced epic change over the past two decades. But what else holds for the industry's future? The report, More Important, But Less Robust? highlights risks posed by growing information inequality, struggling journalism business models, and the role of social media platforms. The five global trends are based on recent research conducted at the Reuters Institute. They reflect changes to the way people access news, transformations in professional journalism and the business of news, as well as changing political environments in some parts of the world. 

Here are 5 things everybody needs to know about the future of journalism taken from the report:

1.    We have moved from a world where media organisations were gatekeepers to a world where media still create the news agenda, but platform companies control access to audiences.

2.    This move to digital media generally does not generate filter bubbles. Instead, automated serendipity and incidental exposure drive people to more and more diverse sources of information.

3.    Journalism is often losing the battle for people’s attention and in some countries for the public’s trust.

4.    The business models that fund news is challenged, weakening professional journalism and leaving news media more vulnerable to commercial and political pressures.

5.    News is more diverse than ever, and the best journalism in many cases better than ever, taking everyone from the most powerful politicians to the biggest private companies.

Want to read the full report? Download it here.