The announcement was made in Kraków during the 2025 Congress, where 1,000 media leaders from 65 countries gathered to explore the future of news media.
Since its inception in 1948, the World News Media Congress has been the leading international platform for dialogue, reflection, and cooperation in the media industry. It aims to promote quality journalism, defend press freedom, and shape the future of news on a global scale.
With more than 18,000 publications, 15,000 news sites, and nearly 3,000 companies across more than 120 countries, WAN-IFRA organises this world-leading annual conference, bringing together top executives, publishers, and editors from across the news industry. This summit comes at a pivotal moment, as the media industry faces two major challenges: rethinking its business model to adapt to new information consumption patterns and addressing growing public mistrust in the media.
The partnership with CMA Media acknowledges its expanding role in the media landscape. Created in 2023, CMA Media is already the leading private newsroom in France, uniting prominent print titles (La Provence, Corse Matin, La Tribune, La Tribune Dimanche) with major audiovisual outlets such as BFM TV and RMC Radio. This recognition highlights CMA Media’s unique position — combining national and local reach with a strong commitment to innovation and regional engagement.
The choice of Marseille also reflects CMA Media’s deep connection to the city, headquarters of La Provence and home to its Grand Central hub. The city offers a hybrid ecosystem for media, startups, and educational institutions. In full transformation, the Phocaean city symbolises renewal and openness to the Mediterranean and Africa — offering a refreshing shift away from traditional power centres. Rich in social, cultural, and generational diversity, Marseille provides an ideal testing ground for new technologies, innovative editorial formats, and strengthening ties between media and the public.
“For CMA Media, being chosen to host the next World Press Congress is a source of immense pride, especially since it has not been held in France for 30 years. This success is the result of remarkable collective work on the part of all our teams, whom I would like to thank warmly. Now, we are going to put all our energy into making this event a real success, here in Marseille, a global city conducive to innovation and international exchanges on the future of the media.” said Jean-Christophe Tortora, Managing Director of CMA Media’s press division
“I am delighted and proud that the World News Media Congress is returning to France, where it all began nearly 80 years ago. I am particularly excited about Marseille, a cradle of Mediterranean civilisation, and grateful to CMA Media for hosting us. CMA Media is a diversified media group with a strong commitment to innovation, backed by a new generation of committed media owners who are determined to meet the challenges of news and journalism in the 21st century.” said Vincent Peyrègne, WAN-IFRA CEO. “As every year, I see this as a strong and meaningful statement for the Congress and the promise of a Congress that will make history. I’m excited to welcome the international press to this wonderful region of Provence.”
Contact and Inquiries
Sumithra Hönig, Director, Global Sales & Events, WAN-IFRA. sumithra.hoenig@wan-ifra.org
WAN-IFRA, the World Association of News Publishers, is the world’s largest international news organization, representing 3,000 news publishing companies and technology entrepreneurs, and 60 member publishers’ associations representing 18,000 publications in 120 countries. Our mission is to protect the rights of journalists and publishers around the world to operate independent media. We provide our members with the expertise and services to innovate and thrive in a digital world and to play their crucial role in society.
CMA Media is the media branch of the CMA CGM Group. CMA Media, the 3rd largest private media group in France, is made up of an emblematic audiovisual division, the 1st French player in continuous news (notably BFM TV and RMC) and a press division bringing together recognized titles (La Provence, Corse Matin, La Tribune and La Tribune Dimanche). CMA Media also brings together the investments in the M6 Group and in the digital platform Brut.