What's the outlook for journalism in 2022? The Reuters Digital News Report

[shishir.seoexpert1]

Will 2022 be the year journalism catches its breath by focusing on the essential subjects? The media must reconnect with audiences generally saturated by the intensity of the news of the last two years. In its report on trends and predictions in journalism and media, the Reuters Institute presents the directions for the year to come that will allow us to (re)establish deeper links with readers, as well as with journalistic practice. An overview of the key themes for this new year.

By Louise Faudeux, Innovation and Foresight Department

Publishers' revenues on the rise

To everyone’s surprise, publisher revenues appear to be up over gambling data turkey the past year. 59% of media outlets surveyed say their revenues have increased, despite the pandemic and the erosion of profits from traditional channels like print.



These results demonstrate the adaptability of the period, as well as new economic models based on paid subscription systems and the increase in advertising investment on publishers' sites. However, this increase in revenue is not necessarily the direct result of an increase in interest in information . Indeed, the Reuters report reveals that overall online information consumption has actually decreased significantly, for 44% of the publishers surveyed.



Subscription and membership models are maturing

For most of the news media pioneers surveyed in this report, digital subscriptions have now surpassed print subscriptions , and therefore subscription revenues are becoming more important. Subscription revenues remain the number one priority for publishers, ahead of online advertising. However, subscription models may be causing concern among some publishers, with nearly half (47%) believing that subscription models could push journalism to serve the most affluent audiences at the expense of others.

It is therefore difficult to predict whether these models will work sustainably for all media. Some of them, such as Vox or Buzzfeed , are working on alternative economic models, based on branded content partnerships.



Therefore, 2022 should see more solutions in terms of offers for people from disadvantaged backgrounds to allow them wider access to information. There are already “pay what you can afford” memberships in South Africa and Spain for the Daily Maverick. In Denmark. Politiken offers free subscriptions to students.

Also, in order to facilitate the retention of subscriptions taken out during the pandemic and avoid subscriber fatigue, media outlets must reinvent themselves by moving some of their services to premium access. For example, the New York Times has made its Wirecutter review site , previously accessible to everyone, only available through its subscription offer.

T