WAN-IFRA launches programme to connect newsrooms and creators

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1. https://indianprinterpublisher.com/blog/2025/11/wan-ifra-journalists/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
2. https://www.journalism.co.uk/wan-ifra-launches-gen-z-led-initiative-to-deepen-news-engagement/ – The World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) has announced the launch of its Future Audiences Initiative, a global programme designed to help both traditional news organisations and independent creators reach wider audiences. The initiative targets not only established publishers but also digital-native outlets and emerging media voices who often lack access to professional networks and support. Central to the programme is the News Creator Exchange (NCX), a new community for independent news creators, digital-first startups, and video-led journalists. Led by Gen Z media consultant Pierre Caulliez, NCX will provide tools, training, and networking opportunities to foster collaboration between creators and established newsrooms. An advisory board of creators and industry experts will guide the Exchange’s development. The Future Audiences Initiative also includes two additional pillars: programming to promote media literacy and tackle disinformation, and a series of regional and global workshops focused on audience-first strategies, brand building, and digital innovation. WAN-IFRA has introduced a Best Emerging News Providers category in its annual Digital Media Awards to recognise rising talent in the sector. The initiative will roll out globally in 2026, with pilot activities starting early in the year. WAN-IFRA is inviting individuals and organisations interested in participating as creators, newsroom partners, or mentors to express their interest by joining the first cohort.
3. https://www.ringier.com/pulse-africa-wins-2025-wan-ifra-digital-media-awards-for-leading-audience-first-content-strategy-in-africa/ – Pulse, Africa’s leading innovative media company, has won the Best in Audience Engagement category at the 2025 WAN-IFRA Digital Media Awards Africa for its leading audience-first content strategy, the User Needs Impact Project 360. The project was awarded for transforming Pulse’s approach to delivering more relevant, helpful, and engaging stories that truly serve the needs of young audiences across Africa. Organised by the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), the Digital Media Awards Africa spotlight the most innovative and impactful digital initiatives from newsrooms across the continent. The awards celebrate projects that push the boundaries of storytelling, deepen audience engagement, and advance the future of digital journalism. After observing signs of content fatigue and declining engagement, Pulse Africa launched the User Needs Impact Project 360 — a bold, data-informed strategy rooted in the User Needs Model developed by Dmitry Shishkin, Ringier Media International CEO, overseeing all Ringier media brands in the CEE countries. By centering content around what the audience truly values and using intelligent tools to track performance across key metrics, Pulse achieved a significant boost in engagement across its digital platforms. In the words of the WAN-IFRA judging panel: “The User Needs Impact Project 360 is a highly innovative approach to content creation, focusing on audience needs.” The project has already delivered measurable results: A 66.49% increase in traffic to the lifestyle section A 151.3% increase in engagement across social media platforms Strong performance from tailored “Educate Me” and “Help Me” content formats A newsroom-wide shift toward producing fewer but more valuable stories Kanyinsola Aroyewun, Director of Marketing and Content Growth at Pulse Africa: “This award is a powerful validation of the work our teams across markets are doing to reimagine how we tell stories that matter. With the User Needs framework, we’ve moved beyond chasing trends to truly serving our audience. It’s about making every piece of content purposeful, relevant, and responsive to what people need from media today. I’m incredibly proud of the entire Pulse content team for their creativity, focus and dedication to this vision.” The strategy has been fully integrated across Pulse’s operations in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire. It brings together editorial, social and video teams in a collaborative, insight-driven workflow that puts audience value at the core of content decisions. Pulse User Needs Impact Project 360 was featured on Journalism.co.uk as a case study in audience-first content innovation. The project continues to evolve through real-time data, audience insight, and ongoing team development. In addition to this win, Business Insider Africa and Pulse Sports were named finalists in their respective categories. Business Insider Africa was recognised in the Best Use of Video category for its smart video strategy on TikTok, while Pulse Sports was a finalist for Best Relaunch of Digital Platforms for its fan engagement YouTube series, CrossFire. These recognitions further reinforce Pulse Africa’s commitment to innovation and excellence across all its brands.
4. https://tomorrowspublisher.today/editing-tools/wan-ifra-and-openai-expand-ai-programme-to-australia-and-new-zealand/ – The Newsroom AI Catalyst programme, developed by WAN-IFRA and OpenAI to support responsible AI adoption in journalism, is expanding to include two new cohorts and, for the first time, newsrooms in Australia and New Zealand. The global initiative has already reached 128 news organisations across Europe, Asia, South Asia and Latin America. With the addition of the new cohorts, 24 more editorial teams will receive hands-on support to integrate AI tools into their operations. Applications for the Australia and New Zealand phase will open in June, ahead of a three-month intensive programme for 12 selected newsrooms. The initiative aims to help publishers rethink content discovery, experiment with new storytelling formats, and make workflows more efficient. Participants emerge from the programme with a working prototype and a strategic roadmap tailored to their needs.
5. https://openai.com/index/newsroom-ai-catalyst-global-program-with-wan-ifra/ – WAN-IFRA, the World Association of News Publishers, has announced today the launch of a broad-based accelerator program for over 100 news publishers in partnership with OpenAI. The Newsroom AI Catalyst is an accelerator program designed to help newsrooms fast-track their AI adoption and implementation to bring efficiencies and create quality content. The era of AI and especially generative AI brings significant opportunities for newsrooms and publishers: AI can assist in creating and improving content or help to do deeper analysis of information and data. It can also enhance the user experience on news websites. Newsrooms also use AI to find new formats for delivering information. But there are at the same time new challenges for journalists, publishers and society like a potential growth and spread of misinformation and topics around privacy, copyright, bias and others. The Newsroom AI Catalyst accelerator program will assist 128 newsrooms across Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Australia & New Zealand. This intensive program combines expert guidance with hands-on experience, equipping newsroom stakeholders with the knowledge and tools needed to drive strategic AI initiatives. OpenAI, the AI research and deployment company behind ChatGPT, is funding and providing technical assistance to the initiative. “News enterprises across the globe have come under pressure from declining advertising and print subscription revenues. The adversity confronting news leaves communities without access to a shared basis of facts and shared values, and puts democracy itself at risk. AI technologies have the potential to positively influence the sustainability of news organisations.” said Vincent Peyregne, CEO of WAN-IFRA. “I am delighted by the support of OpenAI to help the newsrooms through adoption of AI technologies to provide high-quality journalism that is the cornerstone of news business” he added. “At OpenAI, we are committed to harnessing the transformative power of AI to expand opportunities broadly. This program is designed to turbocharge the capabilities of 128 newsrooms across Europe, Asia and Latin America in collaboration with WAN-IFRA,” said Tom Rubin, Chief of Intellectual Property and Content at OpenAI. “We are excited to collaborate with WAN-IFRA and news publishers around the world to cultivate a healthy, sustainable ecosystem that promotes quality journalism.”
6. https://www.associationexecutives.org/resource/world-news-media-congress-to-focus-on-media-s-evolving-strategies.html – In a significant move for the global media landscape, the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) is set to host the 76th World News Media Congress in Krakow, Poland, from May 4 to May 6, 2025. This year’s congress is themed “Media’s New Playbook,” focusing on the evolving strategies required for media organisations in a rapidly changing environment. The congress will bring together journalists, media leaders, and stakeholders to discuss critical issues facing the industry. Topics will include the impact of artificial intelligence on journalism, rekindling connections with local communities, and responding to growing skepticism towards media. The congress seeks to provide a platform for participants to share innovative solutions and best practices aimed at overcoming the challenges faced by media professionals today.