Discover what 448 newsroom leaders across 86 countries are prioritising next — from AI adoption and audience trust to strategy, formats, capability and skills.
The Future Newsrooms Study 2026 is a global benchmark of how newsrooms are changing, what they are prioritising and where they are going next. Backed by survey data, interviews and industry expertise compiled by FT Strategies, it reveals the gaps holding newsrooms back — and the practical shifts that can move them forward.
Inside the report, you’ll learn:
Why only 21% of newsrooms begin with a defined audience need or audience group—and what that means for editorial strategy.
Why the biggest barriers to AI adoption are not technical, but human: skills gaps (61%), cultural resistance (52%) and unclear use cases (45%).
Why short-form video has become the top format priority and explainers remain a leading storytelling approach.
Why many newsrooms still spend far more time on production than on post-publication audience engagement.
What more strategically aligned newsrooms are doing to improve performance, focus and future readiness.
