Over 800 Media Leaders Attend WNMC25 in Kraków; Prof Pate Represents Nigeria

By Emmanuel Kwada

The World News Media Congress (WNMC25), which concluded today in Kraków, Poland, culminated in a powerful call to defend journalism and democracy, led by Nobel Peace Laureate and former Polish President Lech Wałęsa.

The two-day global summit, organized by the World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) in partnership with Agora SA, publisher of Gazeta Wyborcza, brought together over 800 media leaders from more than 60 countries to address the existential challenges facing the news industry.

Among the distinguished attendees was a prominent communication mogul, Professor Umaru Pate, the Vice Chancellor of Federal University Kashere, Gombe State, and former Dean of the School of Postgraduate Studies at Bayero University Kano.

As President of the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) and a member of the UNESCO Network of Communication Professors, their presence amplified the event’s global resonance and commitment to advancing media scholarship and press freedom.

Journalism is the oxygen of democracy.

The Congress opened with a riveting on-stage interview with Wałęsa, the iconic leader of Poland’s Solidarity movement that toppled communism in 1989.

His impassioned address underscored the critical role of independent journalism in safeguarding democracy against rising authoritarianism, technological disruption, and eroding public trust. “Journalism is the oxygen of democracy,” Wałęsa declared, urging media leaders to remain steadfast in their pursuit of truth.

Hosted in Kraków, a city synonymous with Poland’s resilient spirit and intellectual freedom, WNMC25 provided a dynamic platform for tackling the industry’s most pressing issues.

In a world where trust in media is under siege, our responsibility to protect journalism has never been greater

WAN-IFRA President Ladina Heimgartner set the tone, stating, “In a world where trust in media is under siege, our responsibility to protect journalism has never been greater. Today’s discussions have charted a bold path forward.”

The program was structured around three high-impact tracks, each delivering actionable insights:

Media Leaders’ Summit: CEOs and executives, including Bartosz Hojka of Agora SA and Louis Dreyfus of Le Monde, engaged in candid discussions on navigating financial instability and political pressures.

A standout session explored innovative business models, with case studies from South China Morning Post’s Catherine So showcasing how diversified revenue streams can sustain quality journalism.

Editors’ Summit: Focused on rebuilding trust and engaging audiences, this track featured The Washington Post’s retired Executive Editor Marty Baron and The New York Times’ Zach Seward.

A lively panel on AI’s role in newsrooms, led by AI expert Ezra Eeman, debated how automation can enhance reporting without compromising editorial integrity.

Digital Revenue Summit: This track dove into cutting-edge strategies for monetizing digital content. Julia Angwin of Proof News and product innovator Emily Withrow shared breakthroughs in subscription models and audience-driven revenue, while Rupa Jha of Collective Newsroom highlighted the power of community-funded journalism in underserved regions.

Poland’s independent press has long stood firm against populism and censorship

A defining moment of WNMC25 was the presentation of the 2025 Golden Pen of Freedom Award, a prestigious honor recognizing extraordinary contributions to press freedom.

The ceremony, attended by past recipients’ representatives, including those honoring Gazeta Wyborcza, Jimmy Lai, Jamal Khashoggi, and Maria Ressa, served as a poignant reminder of journalism’s sacrifices and triumphs.

Interactive workshops and networking sessions enriched the Congress, fostering collaboration among attendees. A hands-on workshop on countering disinformation, led by Le Monde’s fact-checking team, equipped participants with tools to combat misinformation in real time.

Meanwhile, a “Media Innovation Lab” showcased AI-driven storytelling tools and virtual reality experiments, sparking excitement about journalism’s technological future.

Kraków’s historic backdrop amplified the event’s significance. “Poland’s independent press has long stood firm against populism and censorship,” said Agora SA’s Bartosz Hojka. “Hosting WNMC25 here reaffirms our commitment to a free and vibrant media.”

The fight for truth is the fight for freedom. You, the world’s media, are its warriors

The city’s vibrant cultural heritage, from its medieval Wawel Castle to its storied Jagiellonian University, inspired attendees as they debated the future of news in a world of uncertainty.

The Congress concluded with a unified pledge to uphold journalistic integrity and innovate relentlessly. Wałęsa’s closing words resonated deeply: “The fight for truth is the fight for freedom. You, the world’s media, are its warriors.”

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