Preston, UK – 25 February 2025 – In an era where newsrooms face relentless disruption, shifting business models, and the growing influence of AI, media leaders must balance agility with long-term vision. The JILeaders Winter FORUM, a flagship event of the part-time, postgraduate distance learning Journalism Innovation and Leadership Programme at the Media Innovation Studio, University of Central Lancashire, will convene leading industry figures to explore the forces shaping journalism today—and the decisions that will define its future.

Held online on Tuesday, 25 February 2025, from 14:00 to 16:15 GMT, the forum will spotlight global media trends, AI’s evolving role, and the values driving newsroom leadership in uncertain times.

Dr François Nel, Director of the Journalism Innovation and Leadership Programme, who will chair the opening session, highlighted the forum’s relevance:

“Leadership in journalism today demands more than reacting to change—it requires anticipating what’s next. This forum brings together media innovators and decision-makers to scan the biggest issues impacting the sector and identify the critical actions their organisations need to take now to ensure success tomorrow.”

Agenda Highlights

• World Press Trends & Outlook 2025 – An expert analysis of global news business trends, featuring insights from Dean Roper (WAN-IFRA, the World Association of News Publishers) and media analyst, author and advisor Prof Lucy Küng.
  Chair: Dr François Nel, co-author, World Press Trends and Outlook.
• AI: What Is Now, What Is Next? – A forward-looking discussion on AI’s impact on journalism, with Joey Marburger (Arc XP), Dr Alexandra Borchardt (Independent advisor and researcher, lead author of the European Broadcasting Union’s reports on AI), and Clare Spencer (Overcoat Media and a JILeader Class of 2025 participant).
  Chair: Izelle Venter, General Manager, Media24TV.
• The Value of Values – A conversation on ethics, transparency, and trust in journalism, featuring James Brindle (The Journalists’ Charity), Chloé Fiodiere (Journalism Trust Initiative) and Lynda Moyo (The Mirror and JILeader Class of 2025 participant)
  Chair: Alison Gow, Board Member, Independent Press Standards Organisation, Journalists’ Charity, Public Interest News Foundation, and JILeaders Programme at UCLan.

This open forum is a key part of the first intensive study block of the part-time, postgraduate distance learning Journalism Innovation and Leadership Programme, where 18 media executives from 8 countries will engage with leading experts to assess the critical challenges and opportunities shaping the sector and formulate strategic recommendations for their leadership teams.

Join us: JILeaders Winter FORUM 2025: Media Leadership Amid the Certainty of Uncertainty.

Explore more here. For inquiries, please contact: JIleaders@uclan.ac.uk.