Mitali Mukherjee on the work of the Reuters Institute in 2024-25

From our Annual Report 2024-25

Audiences expect journalists to be more impartial, more accurate, more transparent, and to increase the amount and quality of their original reporting. Equally, they have serious concerns around the news – that it is sensationalistic, politically partisan, and compromised when it comes to the influence of large businesses.

Both of these views coexist in a fraught year for journalism. The violence we have seen belies the notion that authoritarian pressure on journalism is something far away. News creators have upturned the landscape with content that swings between personality-led partisan commentary and sometimes being the only independent source in places where press freedom is constrained. AI is no longer an external tool to help build engagement but an integral part of newsrooms, and may even go on to be in charge of editorial decisions.

Against this testing backdrop, as new Director, I am grateful for the support of long-standing partners such as the Thomson Reuters Foundation and the broader Reuters community. I am also incredibly proud of how our team has pursued our core mission, exploring the future of journalism worldwide through debate, engagement, and research.

The air of gloom and doom over the last year has made me think about why our work does matter. I see two reasons why we will and must continue.

First, in research, our findings help shape the work being done in newsrooms and whether precious resources are being spent on the right levers to build audiences. Our audience analysis touches every aspect of people’s lives: the social media platforms they use, the impact of climate change on their homes, their fears about price increases, why they feel overwhelmed by the news, and what they are seeking from it.

Second, as journalists, so much of our work and original reporting look to build safe spaces to share challenges. Solutions for journalism will have to come from within. We need highly motivated journalists supported by a strong network of colleagues, access to resources that deepen their understanding, and a global platform to showcase their work. Solutions will also have to come from dialogue with audiences and voices from other industries that both inform and impact the future of news.

We are a part of the University of Oxford, and our work is tethered to the principles this University has been built on: freedom of speech and academic freedom are central tenets that must be robustly protected. Our work comes from a place of deep regard for the value of independent journalism and the importance of an informed public. Now is a time to remain focused on our work, which supports healthier newsrooms and a stronger connection with the audience.