A recent report by Dalet and analyst organization Caretta Research highlights significant shifts in newsroom workflows. The report, titled "The Future of Newsroom Workflows," provides a comprehensive view of current challenges in news production, including the adoption of artificial intelligence and the expansion of story-centric, multi-platform content strategies.
Based on feedback from newsroom professionals across 60 media organizations, the report reveals that outdated systems are hindering workflow efficiency. A staggering 45% of respondents identified legacy systems as a major obstacle. Furthermore, approximately one-third of newsrooms reported that their newsroom computer systems (NRCS) are insufficient to meet their operational needs.
Despite these constraints, 68% of respondents expressed optimism about the future of news, recognizing opportunities for implementing updated tools and methods. According to Rob Ambrose, Caretta Research’s managing director, newsroom challenges reflect long-standing issues such as multi-platform production demands, changing media consumption habits, and financial pressures. However, he acknowledges that new tools, particularly AI-powered systems, are empowering journalists to adapt to these evolving demands.
The study also underscores a gap in newsroom budgeting and cost management. While more than half of respondents faced budget cuts in the past year, few newsrooms actively monitor the financial impact of their coverage. Marcy Lefkovitz, Dalet’s senior vice president of product innovation, emphasizes that resource limitations drive news organizations to seek more efficient systems to meet audience expectations across multiple platforms.
In response to these findings, Dalet has launched a Competitive Upgrade Program, designed to assist newsrooms in transitioning away from legacy systems and streamlining their workflows.