WAN-IFRA Elects New Leaders, Faces Industry Shifts

Kraków, Poland – Leadership changes and a renewed focus on press freedom and navigating a rapidly evolving media landscape marked the recent WAN-IFRA World News Media Congress, held May 4-6. The annual gathering, which drew over 950 media executives, editors, and innovators from more than 60 countries, saw the election of new board members and the appointment of key figures to influential roles within the World Association of News Publishers.

Mariam Mammen Mathew, CEO of Manorama Online (India), was elected Vice President of WAN-IFRA, while David Walmsley, Editor-in-Chief of The Globe and Mail (Canada), and Pia Rehnquist, Business Area Manager at Bonnier News (Sweden), joined the association’s Executive Board. A nine-member Supervisory Board was also appointed, representing media leaders from Belgium, Germany, Kenya, Norway, Singapore, Switzerland, and Slovakia, including Monicah Ndung’u of Nation Media Group (Kenya) and Chan Yeng Kit, CEO of SPH Media (Singapore).

Notably, Walmsley also secured the presidency of the World Editors Forum (WEF), succeeding Martha Ramos, Chief Editorial Officer of Organización Editorial Mexicana (OEM). Ramos will transition to the role of Deputy President, providing continuity during a period of significant disruption for journalism.

The appointments come at a critical juncture for the news industry. Walmsley, a champion of global journalism initiatives like World News Day and the Toronto Moral Injury Scale for Journalists, emphasized the vital – and increasingly threatened – role of journalism in a world grappling with disinformation and political pressure. Ramos, reflecting on her term as WEF President, highlighted the escalating challenges facing news organizations, including the rise of artificial intelligence and sophisticated disinformation campaigns.

WAN-IFRA’s structure, with both a Supervisory Board focused on community engagement and an Executive Board providing strategic oversight, reflects a commitment to collaborative leadership. The organization’s mission remains steadfast: to protect the rights of journalists and publishers, foster innovation, and ensure the continued viability of independent media worldwide.

The Congress itself served as a platform for addressing these challenges, bringing together industry leaders to discuss strategies for mastering the “new playbook” of digital media. With a network encompassing 3,000 news publishing companies and 18,000 publications across 120 countries, WAN-IFRA is uniquely positioned to drive these conversations and advocate for a free and independent press.

The election of these new leaders signals a commitment to addressing the complex issues facing the news industry, and a recognition of the urgent need for collaboration and innovation in the digital age. The focus on press freedom and the defense of journalistic integrity will be paramount as WAN-IFRA navigates an increasingly challenging global landscape.