Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism

What Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism does

The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism is a research institute at the University of Oxford, established as part of the university and headquartered at 13 Norham Gardens, Oxford. It is dedicated to studying the future of journalism worldwide and serves practicing journalists, newsroom leaders, academics, and policy makers through a combination of research, professional development programs, and curated professional communities. Its flagship product is the annual Digital News Report, built on a YouGov-executed survey methodology covering 48 markets with nearly 100,000 respondents and quotas for age, gender, region, education, and political leaning — making it the most comprehensive longitudinal dataset on global news consumption. The institute publishes 15 research reports and 124 original journalism pieces annually, and distributes all output freely through its website, podcasts, and a bi-weekly newsletter reaching 20,000+ subscribers.

The product surface spans research publications (Digital News Report, News Creators and Influencers Report, News Podcasting Research, Young News Audiences Research, and the annual Journalism, Media, and Technology Trends and Predictions), professional development (Journalist Fellowship Programme hosting 24 fellows from 20 countries and Newsroom Leadership Programmes with 191 participants in 2024-25), and community networks (the Oxford Climate Journalism Network with 800 members). Distribution channels include global launch events at Reuters headquarters in London and New York, regional online events in Africa and India, podcast series on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and a Spanish-language edition of the Digital News Report. All content is offered at no cost, reflecting a public-interest mission.

The institute operates as a nonprofit funded primarily by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, with additional grants from foundations, non-profits, and industry partners. There is no pricing model, no venture or private equity backing, and no public ownership; the institute is governed within the University of Oxford with structural protections for editorial independence. Strategic partners include YouGov (survey execution), Reuters (event venues and editorial participation), Code for Africa and Newslaundry (regional launches), and the BBC, NYT, NPR, Vox Media, News24, and Goalhanger (launch event participants).

Name

Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism

Legal name

Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism

Website

https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism is a University of Oxford research institute that studies the future of journalism through the annual Digital News Report, journalist fellowships, newsroom leadership programmes, and the Oxford Climate Journalism Network, serving journalists, editors, and policymakers across 48 global markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Journalism and Media Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Periodical Publishers (51312), Periodical Publishers (513120), Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling (541910)

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Conference Proceedings & Research Reports Publishing (EDAGAFAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Data Journalism & News Intelligence Publishers (Indexes, Election/Market Data) (MPAJADAK), Academic & Scholarly Journals Publishing (Peer-Reviewed) (MPAJABAC)

Keywords

• Journalism research
• Media industry research
• Digital news research
• Journalist fellowships
• News consumption studies

Headquarters

HQ city

Oxford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Core Funding (Thomson Reuters Foundation): The primary funding comes from the Thomson Reuters Foundation, providing operational support for research programs, fellowships, and institutional activities.
2. Foundation and Nonprofit Grants: Additional funding from various foundations, non-profits, and industry partners who support specific programs such as fellowships and research initiatives.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism is a research institute at the University of Oxford that conducts empirical research on global news consumption, hosts practising journalists through a fellowship programme, and runs leadership development programmes for newsroom executives. Its flagship output is the annual Digital News Report, a survey-based study covering 48 markets, alongside specialist research reports, podcasts, and a bi-weekly newsletter.

Product overview

The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism is a research institute at Oxford University that produces annual research reports and operates professional development programmes. Its core product is the annual Digital News Report (covering 48 markets), supplemented by specialized research reports including the News Creators and Influencers Report, News Podcasting Research, and Young News Audiences Research. The institute operates the Journalist Fellowship Programme and Newsroom Leadership Programmes for professional development, and maintains the Oxford Climate Journalism Network. Additional offerings include podcast series and a twice-weekly newsletter reaching over 20,000 subscribers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Digital News Report: Annual survey of news consumption across multiple markets, tracking how people find, access, and pay for news
• Oxford Climate Journalism Network
• Journalist Fellowship Programme
• Newsroom Leadership Programmes

Products and services

• Digital News Report Annual flagship survey-based report covering 48 markets, tracking how people find, access, and pay for news, plus trust, platform use, and AI adoption. It is targeted at media executives, journalists, academics, and policymakers and is distributed free of charge.
• Journalist Fellowship Programme Fellowship programme that hosts practising journalists and researchers at the University of Oxford, connecting them with leading academics and peers for in-depth exploration of journalism topics.
• Newsroom Leadership Programmes Leadership development programmes that help newsroom leaders reshape their organisations and develop authentic leadership skills for digital-era media management.
• Oxford Climate Journalism Network A membership community of around 800 journalists covering climate change, providing research resources, essays, an advisory board, and a Global South Climate Database.
• AI and the Future of News Research initiative that studies the impact of artificial intelligence on journalism, newsrooms, and audiences, including an annual conference.
• Trust in News Project Research project examining audience trust in news media across markets and demographics.
• News Creators and Influencers Report Annual research report that identifies and classifies independent news creators and influencers across more than 24 markets by editorial function.
• News Podcasting Research Report Research report on the transformation of audio podcasts into video podcasts and the evolving business models of news podcasting.
• Young News Audiences Research Research report mapping how 18-24 year olds interact with and think about news, documenting behavioural and attitudinal trends over time.
• Journalism, Media, and Technology Trends and Predictions Annual survey of media leaders that captures publishers' priorities, anticipated challenges, and readiness to address industry changes.

Quantifiable outcome

• 48 markets covered with nearly 100,000 respondents surveyed annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered regional and core.

• Code for AfricaregionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Partnered for the Africa launch of Digital News Report 2026, hosting a joint online event with African media leaders discussing news sustainability challenges.
• NewslaundryregionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Indian independent media organization that partnered for the India launch of Digital News Report 2026, hosting a joint online event.
• YouGovcoreTechnology or IntegrationResearch partner conducting the annual Digital News Report survey using online panels across 48 markets with nearly 100,000 respondents.
• ReutersregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerReuters provides headquarters venues in London and New York for Digital News Report launch events, with Reuters editors participating in panels.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Pew Research Center: U.S.-based nonpartisan research organization producing large-scale public opinion and media research; directly comparable as a data-driven, non-academic research producer cited by policymakers and industry.
• Nieman Foundation for Journalism: Harvard-based journalism fellowship and research program; directly comparable as a university-affiliated fellowship and journalism research institute serving practicing journalists.
• Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy: Harvard Kennedy School research center studying media, politics, and technology; comparable as a university-based research hub producing reports used by media executives and policymakers.
• International Center for Journalists (ICFJ): Global non-profit supporting journalism worldwide through training, fellowships, and programs; comparable in operating international journalist development programs at significant scale.
• European Journalism Centre: Eindhoven-based non-profit supporting journalism across Europe through grants, training, and research; comparable as a mission-driven journalism support and research organization.
• Tow Center for Digital Journalism: Columbia Journalism School research center focused on digital journalism studies; directly comparable in producing practitioner-oriented research on technology and the news industry.

Broad incumbents

• Knight Foundation: Major U.S. philanthropic foundation funding journalism innovation, media research, and newsroom programs; comparable as a large-scale funder and convener in the journalism research ecosystem.
• World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA): Global trade association for the news publishing industry representing thousands of publishers; comparable as a broader institutional convener producing industry-level research and events.
• Columbia Journalism School: Premier academic institution for journalism education and research (parent of the Tow Center); comparable as a university-based hub combining research, fellowships, and executive programs for journalists.

Regional players

• Oxford Internet Institute: Oxford-based interdisciplinary research department studying internet-related social science, including news consumption and platform effects; comparable as a sister Oxford department producing related digital-era research.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCv1KczfPL5N9sEQzQjkJG3A
• Facebookfacebook.com/ReutersInstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/reuters-institute-for-the-study-of-journalism
• Instagraminstagram.com/reutersinstitute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism