News24‘s Digital Transformation: Embracing AI and Immersive storytelling

South African news outlet News24 has undergone a significant digital transformation, highlighted by its embrace of artificial intelligence (AI) and immersive storytelling techniques. These changes were discussed at the 76th World News Media Congress in Krakow, where News24 shared its strategies for engaging a digital-native audience.

Restructuring and Digital-First Approach

News24’s transformation involved a comprehensive restructuring, which included closing print titles and integrating them into existing digital platforms. This shift reflects a broader trend in the media industry, where digital channels are becoming increasingly important for reaching audiences and generating revenue. In 2023, digital advertising revenue in South Africa reached approximately $641 million, marking a significant increase from previous years and underscoring the growing importance of online platforms for media companies. statista

Did You Know? News24 consolidated its operations into three main divisions: media, TV, and books, streamlining its structure for greater efficiency.

Embracing Digital Journalism

A key element of News24’s strategy was shifting its mindset to recognise that quality journalism is not limited to print.The company focused on converting journalists to digital platforms, emphasizing that the format is less important than the quality of the journalism itself. This approach allows News24 to adapt to evolving audience preferences and technological advancements.

Scaling and Bundling Digital Brands

Recognizing the importance of scale in the digital landscape,News24 bundled its digital brands,including News24 in English and Netwerk24 in Afrikaans,approximately ten years ago. This strategy allowed the company to create a larger, more attractive offering for subscribers, rather than implementing individual paywalls for each publication.

Pro Tip: Bundling digital products can increase subscriber retention and attract a wider audience by offering more value for the same price.

Data-Driven Strategies

News24 has embraced data-driven decision-making by democratizing access to data and analytics. The company provides dashboards to all reporters, allowing them to see how their stories contribute to key metrics such as acquisition, retention, and churn. This clarity empowers journalists to make informed decisions and optimize their content for maximum impact.

AI and Technology Integration

AI plays a significant role in News24’s operations,with the company using it to build internal analytics tools and leveraging external providers for various applications. News24 has established an AI lab comprising editors, journalists, product managers, and developers to explore and implement AI-driven solutions.

AI Applications in the Newsroom

News24 utilizes AI in various forms, including transcriptions, summaries, and audio articles. These tools help to improve efficiency, enhance storytelling, and cater to different audience preferences. The company is also exploring collaborations with technology companies to create immersive experiences,such as visual investigations.

Immersive Storytelling and Collaboration

News24 is experimenting with immersive storytelling techniques, such as its visual investigation Final Footsteps: The Kirsten Kluyts Murder. This project involved a collaboration between the investigative team and a provider of 3D modeling and drone footage to create an immersive experience for readers.By partnering with technology companies,News24 is able to enhance its storytelling capabilities and engage audiences in new and innovative ways.

The integration of AI and technology is an ongoing journey for News24, with the company continuously seeking ways to improve and enhance its storytelling. By embracing these advancements and fostering collaborations, News24 is positioning itself for success in the evolving media landscape.

Gazeta Wyborcza’s Digital Transformation

Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland’s first autonomous newspaper, has also successfully adapted to the digital age. Established in 1989, the newspaper now boasts 250 editors and journalists, 300,000 online subscribers, and 3 million unique monthly users. A digital-first strategy, implemented in 2014 with a metered paywall, has enabled Gazeta Wyborcza to derive over 50% of its revenue from digital sources.

Gazeta Wyborcza has implemented several key strategies to drive its digital transformation, including:

• Maintaining a flat organizational structure to avoid silos.
• Providing journalists and editors with access to data analysis tools.
• Implementing a reward system for subscription growth.
• Launching audio articles using AI tools developed by elevenlabs.
• Reducing the number of published articles by 30% to focus on quality over quantity.

These strategies have enabled Gazeta Wyborcza to thrive in the digital age and maintain its position as a leading news source in Poland.

Key Strategies Compared

Disclaimer: This article provides information about the digital transformation strategies of News24 and Gazeta wyborcza and should not be considered financial or business advice.

What innovative strategies do you think news organizations should adopt to thrive in the digital age? How can AI be used ethically and effectively in journalism?

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