International Journalism in the Context of Digital Transformation: Trends and Challenges

V. Zhuhai, O. Bykova

Abstract


The purpose of the study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the key trends in the development of international journalism at the current stage – from financial challenges to the transformation of the role of traditional media institutions and the emergence of new models of audience engagement.

The research methodology is based on the comprehensive application of theoretical analysis and the synthesis of scientific sources, as well as the generalization of contemporary research in the field of media communications. The study utilizes the method of secondary analysis of quantitative data from industry reports, including the WAN-IFRA World Press Trends, the Reuters Institute Digital News Report, and the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Press Freedom Index. Comparative analysis enabled the juxtaposition of traditional and new media models, while theoretical generalization allowed for the systematization of the identified patterns.

Results. The article examines the genesis and current state of international journalism under the unprecedented pressure of digital transformation, financial instability, and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. The authors state that traditional models of international news coverage are undergoing profound changes that extend beyond mere technological updates, affecting the very logic of news production, distribution, and consumption. Through the lens of gatekeeping theory, it is demonstrated that the world’s leading news agencies (AP, Reuters, AFP) maintain their role as primary «gatekeepers» in the global information space, despite changes in news distribution channels. Particular attention is paid to the dual role of artificial intelligence: on the one hand, it enhances the operational efficiency of newsrooms, while on the other, it becomes a powerful tool for disinformation. The authors conclude that the future of international journalism is linked to further technologization, but the adherence to professional standards and ethics will remain the key criterion for quality.

The novelty of the research lies in the comprehensive integration of theoretical approaches with current empirical data from 2024–2025, which allows for examining the transformation of international journalism in the interconnected context of financial, technological, and ethical factors.

Practical value. The research results can be utilized in the fields of international journalism, media management, and media education, as well as in the practical activities of newsrooms seeking sustainable funding models and operational strategies in the context of information warfare and technological challenges.

Key words: international journalism, gatekeeping, artificial intelligence (AI), news agencies, quality press, journalistic standards.


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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.32840/cpu2219-8741/2026.2(66).6

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