World Press Trends is the primary and most authoritative source of data on the newspaper industry worldwide, published annually since 1989. The annual study from WAN-IFRA offers an in-depth look at the current and future state of the global news media industry
WAN-IFRA members can access the annual report for free in our Knowledge Hub. Non-members interested in purchasing the report can contact us at: customerservice@wan-ifra.org.
World Press Trends Outlook 2025-26
This is the 36th annual World Press Trends Outlook report. This year’s report reveals that publishers are feeling optimistic about the future – despite the myriad challenges the industry is facing.
As in previous years, this study is grounded in findings from a comprehensive survey of senior media executives and newsroom leaders. More than 170 participants, across 66 countries, contributed insights into pivotal areas of the news media business. This includes trends in revenue generation, business outgoings, digital transformation, relationships with technology platforms, and press freedom.
These expert insights, coupled with case studies from around the world, offer us a fresh perspective on the health of the news industry and today’s media landscape.
Here is what you will find in the report:
Chapter 1: Business Outlook
- Mid-Term business prospects
- Revenues in the next 12 months
- State of play: The role of AI
- State of play: Search
- State of play: Creators and the creator economy
- State of play: Relationships with tech platforms
Chapter 2: Revenue Trends
- The big picture
- Preparing for the post-print era
- Digital reader revenue
- Digital advertising
- Other revenues
Chapter 3: The Cost of Staying Competitive
- Costs and outgoings
- Investment priorities
Chapter 4: Media Freedom
- Overview
- What our data shows
- How media freedom is being threatened
- Unpacking the causes and moving forward
CONTRIBUTORS
- Damian Radcliffe
- Dr. Francois Nel
- Teemu Henriksson
- Dean Roper