Across interviews with leaders from technology, journalism and independent media, a consistent message came through: in a rapidly shifting industry, progress depends on openness, collaboration and a willingness to learn from others. Speakers stressed that some of the most valuable ideas emerge from observing how peers, competitors and creators experiment and adapt.
At the same time, they pointed to a cluster of shared challenges. Trust remains under pressure, as AI‑driven misinformation accelerates a broader credibility crisis. Fragmented platforms and asynchronous consumption continue to erode shared news moments, while sustaining engaged, habitual audiences has become more difficult as platforms both extend reach and compete for value.
Looking ahead, speakers agreed that the future is audience‑first. Journalism must meet people where they are, across formats and platforms, with multimodal storytelling and stronger journalist–audience connections. The line between legacy media and independent creators is blurring, bringing both opportunity and intensified competition.
Underpinning all of this is technology — an enabler and disruptor in equal measure. Lower barriers to entry and faster experimentation create new possibilities, but they also demand strategic decisions about pace, partnership and scale. As one speaker noted, organisations must choose whether to be disrupted by technology or move deliberately and lead.
Key Takeaways
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Collaboration fuels innovation — many breakthroughs come from learning outside your organisation.
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Trust is under strain, accelerated by AI‑powered misinformation and fragmented consumption.
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Audience habits are harder to maintain, with platforms both enabling and diluting engagement.
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Storytelling is becoming fully multimodal, requiring presence across formats and channels.
