Antonio Zappulla on the Thomson Reuters Foundation's enduring support for the RISJ

From our Annual Report 2024-25

In an era of profound transformation, journalism excellence has never been more critical. As technological advances and the shifting political landscape disrupt our information ecosystems, it is increasingly urgent that we protect the future  of independent journalism – a central tenet of democracy.

But in a world where impartial, accurate information is often either undervalued or actively hijacked for malign purposes, independent media battle a sustained onslaught of challenges. Additionally, targeted violence against journalists made 2024 the deadliest year for the profession ever documented. Meanwhile, news organisations are braced for further attacks from hostile politicians, continued economic headwinds, sustained distrust in journalists, and the fight to protect intellectual property in the face of AI-driven platforms.

At the Thomson Reuters Foundation, we work to strengthen free, fair, and informed societies. Free, pluralistic, and independent media are core to upholding such societies, particularly when democracy is in decline. Without it, the powerful are no longer accountable, civil society is disempowered, freedoms are denied, and corruption thrives. This is why we have doubled down on our work to support independent journalism through our unique combination of media and legal expertise, and data-driven insights.

As newsrooms and journalists must adapt, innovate, and build trust in this rapidly changing environment, our focus is on equipping media professionals with the tools they need not only to counter these threats, but to shore up the future of the profession. We work to strengthen both the media freedom ecosystem and the ability of journalists to best reach their audiences with high-quality, public interest information.

This is why we continue to provide core funding for the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, home to world-leading research and journalism excellence. The insights and data produced by the Institute and honing of the skills demanded by the next era of professionals mark the RISJ’s importance in shaping the future of the industry.

As we navigate these turbulent times, these collaborations matter. The exchange of expertise driven by the Institute better equip us all – from media freedom organisations to policymakers - to ensure that quality journalism can continue to serve democracy and the public interest worldwide.