Emerging Tech Network # 15 - The New News Generation

https://vimeo.com/1171071213

In our recent Emerging Tech Network session, we were joined by Monica Sarkar to explore one of the most pressing questions facing modern newsrooms: how do you earn the attention and trust of the next generation of news consumers?

Sarkar, who leads audience strategy work at CNN, shared insight into how news consumption is rapidly shifting away from traditional destinations such as homepages and towards off-platform environments including social media, messaging apps and short-form video. Younger audiences increasingly encounter news in fragmented, conversational formats, often through creators or peer networks rather than directly through publishers.

The discussion explored how newsroom teams are responding to this change in behaviour. From analysing engagement signals and audience pathways to re-formatting journalism for different platforms, the session unpacked the growing importance of data, workflow agility and editorial judgement in a world where attention is fleeting.

Yet a consistent theme throughout the conversation was trust. While platforms evolve quickly, Sarkar argued that credibility, verification and clear explanation remain the strongest differentiators for established news organisations.

For publishers navigating shifting audience behaviour, the session offered a timely reflection on the balance between speed, platform strategy and the long-term work of building meaningful relationships with readers.