This week, 600+ top news executives from around the world will gather in New York for the 95th Annual INMA World Congress of News Media, focusing on innovation, disruption, and opportunity in the media industry.

The 2025 Congress brings together senior executives from 43 countries for five days of immersive news media study tours, high-level discussions, and expert-led seminars, all centred around the theme “How to Turn Ecosystem Chaos Into Media Opportunity.”

Key themes for the week

“There is a sense of urgency for news media companies on a number of fronts: the geopolitical ripple effects, the collapse of search, likely economic contraction, the opportunities and threats of AI, and the need to perfect revenue models,” INMA Executive Director/CEO Earl J. Wilkinson said. “For all the threats facing news media, there is surprising optimism among INMA members that you’ll see unveiled in New York.”

Key themes for the week, according to Wilkinson, include:

• How to differentiate professional journalism and news brands amid the rising noise and pollution of our ecosystem.
• How to discover our journalism with pending collapse of search.
• What steps to take next if/when there is economic contraction.
• How to shift to direct reader relationships.
• How to navigate the new political and economic environment under Trump.
• How to capitalise on the opportunities of AI.
• How to prioritise revenue models that work

“We hope members are able to take the INMA New York opportunity to step back, share ideas, be inspired, and reflect on our role,” Wilkinson said. “INMA is a unique community of premium media companies, and opportunities to connect in-person are rare.”

Study tours offer insider look at New York’s top news companies

Kicking off the week Monday and Tuesday, 83 delegates will take part in two days of curated, sold out study tours across some of New York’s most prestigious media organisations.

• One group will include visits to Dotdash Meredith, Condé Nast, Advance Local, The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones, The Atlantic, BBC, Axel Springer, Business Insider, and Yahoo News.

• Another study tour group will visit The New York Times, Gannett, Scientific American, The Guardian, Newsweek, Mercer Labs, Financial Times, and Reuters. 

2-day conference will address big industry questions

At the heart of the event is the two-day conference on Wednesday and Thursday, to be held at The TimesCenter in Midtown Manhattan. Over two days, media leaders will delve into strategic themes such as navigating new power dynamics, embracing AI and automation, rethinking newsroom structures, and driving innovation across business models.

Speakers — including Bob Woodward of The Washington Post as well as CEOs of The Wall Street Journal, Zeit, Pulse Africa, Tamedia, McClatchy, Gannett, The Atlantic, and NPR — will offer their perspectives on where the industry is heading and how to make sense of the increasingly fragmented media landscape. 

Global Media Awards

The 2025 INMA Global Media Awards, now in their 88th year, continue to honour excellence and innovation within the global news media industry.

This year’s competition attracted 839 entries from 286 media brands across 49 countries, reflecting a diverse and dynamic media landscape. Finalists will be recognised across 20 categories, encompassing areas such as news brands, media features, product development, subscriptions, advertising, AI, and newsroom transformation.

Notably, a new category — Best Initiative to Bolster Next-Generation Readership — was introduced to acknowledge initiatives aimed at bolstering next-generation readership, highlighting the industry’s commitment to engaging younger audiences.

The winners will be announced during a gala dinner on Thursday, May 22, at the historic Edison Ballroom, an event that promises to be both celebratory and inspiring. Hosted by Jamaican TV personality and author Terri-Karelle Reid, the evening will feature a cocktail reception, dinner interspersed with award presentations, and an after-party with a DJ, offering ample opportunities for networking and celebration.

The Global Media Awards not only recognise outstanding achievements but also serve as a platform for sharing best practices and fostering innovation within the news media community.

INMA initiative-driven seminars focus on deep strategic challenges

On Friday, the final day of the Congress, delegates will attend specialised seminars hosted at Lincoln Center. These sessions will offer deep dives into four critical focus areas, mirroring four INMA topical initiatives: Generative AI, Newsroom Transformation, Product and Tech, and Subscriptions.

Each seminar will feature case studies, practical workshops, and expert-led panels aimed at giving media professionals the tools and frameworks they need to succeed in a fast-changing environment. Whether it’s applying AI ethically and effectively, redesigning editorial workflows, or rethinking monetisation through subscriptions, these sessions are tailored to tackle the most pressing issues facing news organisations.

Networking rounds out the week

Beyond the sessions, the Congress will offer plenty of opportunities for informal networking and peer exchange. A welcome reception at the striking Peak at Hudson Yards will set the tone for the week, while the prestigious Global Media Awards Dinner at the Edison Ballroom will honour the best in media innovation from around the world.

Attendees will also have the chance to engage directly with INMA initiative leads during “Ask Me Anything” sessions, offering personalised insights into emerging trends and strategic challenges.

As the news media industry faces rapid disruption and reinvention, the INMA World Congress 2025 looks set to be a timely and thought-provoking gathering. It will not only showcase how the best in the business are responding to change but also help define what comes next.

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