2024 Digital News Report reveals rising challenges and shifting trends in global media

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published June 18, 2024

LONDON—The Reuters Institute 2024 Digital News Report arrives during a period marked by significant global events, including numerous elections and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. In such times, the need for accurate, independent journalism is paramount. However, the news media in many surveyed countries face challenges like rising misinformation, declining trust, political attacks, and economic uncertainty.

The 13th edition of the Digital News Report, covering 47 markets across six continents, reveals unevenly distributed changes in the news industry. While some regions maintain profitable and trusted media, challenges such as platform dominance, AI integration, and economic pressures are reshaping the global news landscape. The report highlights the need for adaptation and innovation to meet these evolving demands.

Key Findings:

1. Economic Struggles: Many news organizations report layoffs, closures, and cuts due to rising costs, falling ad revenues, and decreased social media traffic. These economic pressures increase vulnerability to influence from powerful business interests or governments.
   • The economic environment is proving challenging for news organizations to maintain independence and resist pressures to skew coverage.
2. Platform Shifts: Big tech companies, especially social media and video platforms, are changing strategies, often deprioritizing news in favor of engaging, creator-driven content. This shift impacts the news industry and societal information flows.
   • With platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels gaining traction, the focus has shifted from traditional publishers to content creators, impacting how news is consumed and disseminated.
3. AI Impact: Advances in AI, including AI-driven search interfaces and chatbots, may further reduce traffic to news websites, adding more uncertainty to the digital news landscape.
   • AI technologies are transforming how news is accessed and personalized, posing new challenges for traditional news outlets to maintain their audience base.
4. Changing News Consumption: Video consumption on platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube is rising. Short news videos are popular, especially among younger audiences, complicating monetization and connection for publishers.
   • The trend toward video consumption requires news organizations to adapt their content strategies to cater to changing viewer preferences.
5. Trust and Misinformation: Trust in news remains low, with significant concerns about distinguishing trustworthy from untrustworthy content, particularly on platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter).
   • The proliferation of misinformation continues to erode public trust in media, necessitating more robust fact-checking and verification processes.
6. AI in News: While there is skepticism about AI handling 'hard' news, there is more acceptance of its use in support roles. Publishers must balance efficiency with public preference for human oversight in journalism.
   • The use of AI in journalism is a double-edged sword, offering efficiency but requiring careful management to ensure credibility and accuracy.
7. Selective News Avoidance: Increasing numbers of people are selectively avoiding news, feeling overloaded by the amount of information, especially regarding ongoing conflicts.
   • News avoidance is on the rise, driven by a sense of information overload and the relentless coverage of negative events, highlighting a need for more diverse and balanced reporting.
8. News Subscriptions: Growth in news subscriptions is slow, with significant price sensitivity and a reliance on free sources. Discounts are common, and only a small percentage of non-subscribers are willing to pay full price for online news.
   • The sustainability of digital news subscriptions remains a challenge, with many consumers unwilling to pay for content amidst abundant free alternatives.

Additional Insights:

• Elections and Interest in News: While elections have sparked increased news interest in some regions, overall trends show declining interest, particularly in countries like Argentina and the United Kingdom. This decline correlates with decreasing engagement in politics.
• Fragmented News Use: The fragmentation of news consumption across multiple platforms indicates a shift in how people access information. With platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp, and TikTok becoming primary sources for news, traditional news outlets face increased competition.
• Youth and News Engagement: Younger audiences are gravitating towards video content and are less connected to traditional news brands. This demographic shift requires news organizations to innovate and find new ways to engage younger viewers.
• Concerns About AI: There is widespread suspicion about AI's role in journalism, particularly for critical news coverage. However, there's more comfort with AI handling support tasks, highlighting a nuanced view of technology's role in media.—Extracts from 2024 Reuters Institute Digital News Report

Pakistan's press freedom in a sorry mess: 10 incidents exposing the crisis

 October 12, 2024:  A critical look at the increasing attacks on press freedom in Pakistan, from harassment of female journalists to violent assaults and unjust detentions. Despite condemnations, no action plan has been put in place to address these violations.

PFUJ denounces inclusion of journalists in NACTA's Schedule IV list

 October 12, 2024:  PFUJ strongly condemns adding journalists to NACTA's Schedule IV list, emphasizing that journalism is a profession and the fourth pillar of democracy, not a crime.

DigiMAP condemns crackdown on journalists, calls for press freedom

 October 10, 2024:  The Digital Media Alliance of Pakistan (DigiMAP) strongly condemns the inclusion of senior journalists on NACTA's Schedule IV list and calls for the immediate release of Ehsan Naseem, arrested after interviewing Manzoor Pashteen. DigiMAP demands respect for press freedom and journalist rights.

PFUJ challenges PEMRA's notices on terror attack reporting

 October 09, 2024:  Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists slams PEMRA for issuing notices to TV channels over Karachi attack coverage, calling it pressure tactics and demanding immediate withdrawal.

PFUJ criticizes shutdown of Daily 92 Islamabad office amid job losses

 October 08, 2024:  The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemns the closure of Daily 92's Islamabad office, which has caused widespread unemployment among journalists and media workers. PFUJ calls for the immediate reversal of the decision, criticizing management for irresponsible actions during economic hardship.

Mr. PM, why tweet on a banned platform? Geo News presenters ask

 October 07, 2024:  Geo News anchors criticize Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif for using the banned platform X to address the Karachi attack. Their remarks spark debate over the government’s selective use of banned social media. Read more about the ongoing legal case challenging the X ban.

PFUJ condemns violence against journalists, demands release of detained reporter

 October 06, 2024:  The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemns violence against journalists during a PTI protest and demands the immediate release of Faizan Hussain, a senior journalist detained by the government.

Journalists demand action against TLP over threats to Azaz Syed

 October 03, 2024:  Veteran journalists condemn threats made by TLP leader Anas Rizvi against senior journalist Azaz Syed, urging the government to take immediate action to ensure his safety and protect press freedom.