“In just two months, we will gather in Krakow for the 76th World News Media Congress, where the programme will focus on Media’s New Playbook.

At a time of rapid and unpredictable change, we have asked the Congress team to seek out cases that provide strategies and solutions for media organisations and their leaders. From AI’s impact on journalism to reconnecting with local communities and responding to critics, this will be an opportunity to engage with those actively experimenting with new approaches.

However, beyond these strategic discussions, we must also confront a more fundamental and urgent challenge: the role of professional media companies in an evolving world order. Attitudes toward journalism are partly shifting, making our mission more critical than ever.

Trust in news media is at stake, and it directly affects our ability to sustain journalism. As audiences turn away from news they perceive as unreliable, anxiety-inducing, or irrelevant, and as advertisers increasingly shift their budgets toward platforms that prioritise engagement over accuracy, we must act. Journalists are under mounting pressure from political and corporate interests, and preserving credibility, trust, and sustainable business models must be our top priority.

Why Krakow?

Our choice of Krakow is intentional. For more than a decade, Poland has been at the forefront of the fight for truth and press freedom. Amid a promising democratic resurgence, it is a fitting and historically significant location for this essential conversation. Moreover, Poland is home to some of the most innovative and successful media companies, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in the face of industry challenges.

Looking ahead, journalism must remain an essential public service and public good. Rebuilding trust and securing new revenue sources will require collaboration, innovation, and a willingness to embrace change.

I encourage you not to miss this opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from colleagues around the world, and help shape the future of our industry. Join the WAN-IFRA team and some of the leading personalities of the media industry in Krakow from May 4 to 6, and be part of this vital conversation.”

Sincerely,

Ladina Heimgartner
President WAN-IFRA
Head Media Ringier AG
CEO Ringier Media Switzerland

Register for the 76th World News Media Congress