Ukraine’s resurging democratic neighbour, Poland is to host next year’s World News Media Congress, the seventy-sixth such event.

Organiser WAN-Ifra has announced that the event, from May 4-6, 2025, will be held in Krakow in partnership with Gazeta Wyborcza publisher Agora. Theme is ‘Mastering Media's New Playbook’ – a call to action for three days of high-level exchange, workshops and learning.

WAN-Ifra says the targeted conferences will equip media leaders, editors and digital media specialists with the latest strategies and case studies to navigate 2025 and beyond, “making this Congress a must-attend event”.

Chief executive Vincent Peyrègne says the Congress will showcase inspiring examples of organisations that have successfully integrated new technologies and are innovating by using data, AI tools and collaborative action to better support their operations and strengthen their journalism.

“It will also focus on the new tactics needed to underpin trusted journalism in a world where truth is increasingly losing its currency.”

The event builds on the success of this year’s Copenhagen congress, which attracted more than 1100 delegates from 78 countries. The 2-25 programme includes three summits, workshops, a study tour, exhibition, awards and social events. Registration opens soon.

Agora chief executive Bartosz Hojka – a member of WAN-Ifra’s supervisory board – said it was an honour to co-organise the 2025 Congress. “I am delighted that we will be inviting media leaders, journalists and editors from all over the world to Poland.

“It is a unique opportunity for them to be in a country which, on the one hand, borders Ukraine, battling for the security of the whole continent, and on the other hand, last year stood up to a populist government, also thanks to dynamically operating independent media. I am convinced that our experience will be extremely interesting for the global news industry.”

Founded in 1989, Agora’s activities now include cinema network Helios – which owns film production and distribution company NextFilm – radio broadcaster Eurozet and Polish OOH leader AMS. Gazeta Wyborcza is also a top Polish web publisher and operator of supra-regional Radio TOK FM. Agora also publishes and distributes books, music and film releases, and is also active in the food catering market.

Peyrègne said Krakow’s rich history and Poland's pivotal role in the upcoming EU presidency made the Congress a significant event. “We have a duty to draw international attention to the situation in this part of the world, and I am eager to work with the Agora Group to deliver a memorable experience for our delegates in Krakow.”

Learn more about the 76th World News Media Congress. For further inquiries, please contact WAN-Ifra global events director Sumithra Hönig, email sumithra.hoenig@wan-ifra.org.