News leaders urge publishers to join World News Day 2026. The campaign aims to show why journalism matters and build public trust. Over 1,000 publishers participated last year. Registration is now open.
Media organizations are being asked to take a visible stand for journalism’s value as World News Day 2026 approaches. David Walmsley and Stig Ørskov are calling on publishers worldwide to join a coordinated campaign that highlights the importance of independent, fact-based reporting and its role in public trust.
This year’s initiative follows a challenge set by A.G. Sulzberger, Chairman and Publisher of The New York Times, who recently told industry leaders at the World News Media Congress in Marseille that journalism cannot assume its value is understood. He urged the industry to explain its relevance clearly and collectively, especially as trust in information remains fragile.
World News Day, scheduled for September 28, offers a rare chance for the news industry to speak with one voice. Last year, more than 1,000 publishers from 108 countries participated, sharing the message that truth matters and journalism is essential to finding it.
The campaign is designed for easy participation. The World News Day team provides ready-to-use ads, op-eds, and social media assets in multiple languages and formats. Publishers are asked to dedicate available print, digital, or broadcast inventory on the campaign day to amplify the message. No new creative work is required, but outlets are encouraged to use the event as a springboard for their own editorial or fundraising efforts, or to showcase the impact of their reporting.
The World Editors Forum, a cornerstone partner, has helped expand World News Day from its beginnings as a Canadian Journalism Foundation event with just 20 participants in 2018 to a global fixture. Returning participants are familiar with the process, while newcomers are offered a low-cost, high-visibility way to demonstrate support for journalism.
Questions about the campaign can be directed to Cherilyn Ireton, Executive Director of the World Editors Forum. Registration is open for publishers who want to receive campaign updates and materials in advance.
World News Day 2026 is supported by partners including Project Kontinuum and CJF. The campaign encourages newsrooms and marketing teams to find creative ways to explain the value of their journalism to audiences. For publishers exploring new ways to engage communities, recent shifts in platforms like Reddit have shown how participation and audience connection can drive results, as discussed in this analysis of Reddit’s evolving role for news publishers.
