Media facing “pressure on all sides”, states new survey

A new global survey of journalists by Cision paints a picture of a media industry under mounting pressure from shrinking resources, misinformation, changing audience habits and the growing influence of artificial intelligence — while also underscoring the continued importance of traditional journalism and media outreach, reports Inside Radio.

The company’s 2026 State of the Media Report, based on responses from nearly 1,900 journalists across 19 markets, found that accuracy and combating misinformation ranked as the top challenge facing journalists over the past year, cited by 50% of respondents. Another 49% pointed to resource constraints such as shrinking budgets, staff cuts and heavier workloads.

The report said the findings reflect “pressure on all sides” for journalists and media organizations, including broadcasters, newspapers and other traditional outlets competing for audience attention in an increasingly fragmented environment.

“At the same time, leaner teams leave less time and patience for unvetted pitches, even as AI is helping them do more with less,” the report said. “They’re also competing with independent creators and algorithms for a limited share of audience attention.”

Despite the rapid rise of digital platforms and AI tools, states Inside Radio, the survey found journalists still heavily depend on conventional media-relations channels to develop stories. Sixty-six percent of respondents said PR-provided materials — including press releases, media pitches and media kits — are among their top sources for story ideas, more than social media, competing outlets or AI tools.