Future of News 2025: Key Insights on AI, Trust, and Journalism from the Digital News Report

The Digital News Report 2025 analyzes 48 regional markets in detail! My key insights:

Trust beats trends

People worldwide prefer trustworthy news brands, including public broadcasters. Yet traditional media overall is used less frequently.

The disinformation dilemma

False information continues to spread because many people lack the media literacy to recognize it.

These formats work everywhere

• Videos

• Personality-driven content

• Podcasts resonate with all age groups

• AI chatbots are increasingly being used as news sources

What journalists and educators must do now

1. Empower more people to distinguish true from false information

2. Provide quality journalism that emotionally engages audiences

Using AI responsibly

People are skeptical about AI but accept it when humans remain involved. We need strict labeling of AI content and transparent source attribution.

AI can help solve mass media's representation problem

Use AI to increase news relevance for local communities and underrepresented groups through:

• Summaries and audio versions.

• Translations into local and indigenous languages.

• Personalized recommendations.

• Interactive news delivery and questions on news.

Building independent infrastructure

Alternative platforms like the Fediverse reach too few people. We need corporate-independent AI systems and media infrastructure – and must convince people to use them.

Rethinking journalism

Europe must develop journalistic methods for fragmented publics, democracy-skeptical audiences, and anti-democratic disinformation campaigns.

Learning from Northern Europe

Public broadcasters dominate the news and podcast market there. Their models are exemplary.

Conclusion

Machines handle routine tasks, but human journalistic skills – critical thinking, constructive influence, and adapting to complexity and different contexts – remain indispensable.