World News Day 2026: Over 1,000 Outlets Unite Against 'Existential Threat' to Journalism
On 28 September 2026, more than 1,000 news organizations worldwide are taking part in World News Day, which was initiated in 2018 to promote reliable journalism. According to the Reuters Institute's 2026 Digital News Report, trust in news has reached a historic low, with audiences increasingly relying on social media and AI chatbots. Notable participants, such as The New York Times, Reuters, and the Kyiv Independent, are releasing editorials and cartoons that advocate for trustworthy reporting. Branko Brkic, co-organizer and founder of South Africa's Daily Maverick, stresses the importance of collaboration among media outlets for survival. The report describes public sentiment as characterized by 'anxiety, disengagement, and cynicism,' with social media and video platforms now leading over news websites as primary information sources.
Key facts
- World News Day is observed on Monday, 28 September 2026, with over 1,000 news providers participating globally.
- The initiative, which began in 2018, promotes the value of trusted journalism.
- The Reuters Institute's 2026 Digital News Report indicates trust in news has reached a new low worldwide.
- Participating media organisations include The New York Times, Reuters, and the Kyiv Independent.
- Branko Brkic, co-organiser and founder of South Africa's Daily Maverick, warns that media must adapt or face extinction.
- Social media and video networks overtook news websites as the main online news source last year, but are trusted less.
- UK media regulator Ofcom reports that 20% of people use AI tools to access news, with YouTube growing rapidly.
- Brkic emphasizes that professional journalism is essential for an information-based society, stating, 'We cannot function without a thing called the truth, without facts.'
Entities
Artists
- Branko Brkic
- Donald Trump
Institutions
- World News Day
- The New York Times
- Reuters
- Kyiv Independent
- Reuters Institute
- Daily Maverick
- Ofcom
Locations
- South Africa
- United Kingdom
- United States