1,000+ News Providers Unite

More than 1,000 news providers around the world have signed up to support World News Day, an event that aims to promote the role of journalism at a time when the industry faces an existential threat. The event, which began in 2018, has grown in importance as trust in news has dropped to a new low globally in 2026.

According to the Reuters Institute's latest Digital News Report, people are increasingly turning to social media and AI chatbots for news. In fact, social media and video networks overtook news organisations' own websites and apps as the main source of online news last year. YouTube is also growing rapidly as a news source, with 20% of people using AI tools to access news.

Despite the rise of new sources, traditional providers are still seen as more trustworthy, accurate and impartial than online platforms. The UK media regulator Ofcom published a report earlier this month on the changing media landscape, highlighting the growing uncertainty about who and what to believe.

## Why it matters The decline of trust in news has significant implications for society. As Branko Brkic, co-organiser of World News Day, said, if news organisations do not adapt, they risk becoming irrelevant. This, in turn, could lead to a lack of accountability and a disengaged public. The Reuters Institute report noted that there is still a continued belief in what news at its best can offer, but anxiety, disengagement, and cynicism towards news are on the rise.

As the media landscape continues to evolve, events like World News Day serve as a reminder of the importance of trusted journalism. By promoting the value of investigative and explanatory journalism, news providers can work together to rebuild trust and ensure that society remains informed and engaged.