In this Executive Exchange conversation, George Adelman, Director at FT Strategies, speaks with Antonio Zappulla, CEO of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, about strengthening independent media, approaching AI responsibly and fostering resilience in an increasingly complex information landscape.

 
In this Executive Exchange conversation, George Adelman, Director at FT Strategies, sits down with Antonio Zappulla, CEO of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, to discuss the mounting pressures on independent media and the organisations supporting it.
 

Drawing on the Foundation's work across journalism, law and data, Antonio explains why organisational resilience is now as vital as editorial excellence, how AI should be adopted with clear governance and purpose, and why trusted information remains essential to democratic societies. 

 

Key discussion points:

Building resilient media organisations

Antonio explains that editorial excellence by itself is no longer sufficient to sustain independent media. Drawing on the Thomson Reuters Foundation's work with newsrooms worldwide, he argues that organisational resilience relies on stronger governance, commercial insight, legal preparedness and technology, as well as high-quality journalism.

Why trust matters more than ever

As public trust in institutions continues to change, Antonio considers the role of trustworthy journalism in supporting well-informed societies. He highlights the enduring importance of editorial independence, accuracy and impartiality, and explains why reliable information becomes even more valuable in times of uncertainty and crisis.

Adopting AI with purpose

Antonio argues that successful AI implementation must begin with clear governance, practical frameworks and ongoing investment in people. He provides examples of how AI can assist media organisations in improving efficiency, engaging new audiences and strengthening sustainability, while avoiding unnecessary dependencies and ensuring that technology supports long-term strategic objectives.

Protecting journalism through collaboration

Antonio explains that collaboration is becoming increasingly significant as media organisations face growing political, technological and financial pressures, ranging from legal support and cyber security to shared learning and industry partnerships. He contends that stronger networks are crucial for protecting independent journalism and building a more resilient information ecosystem.

Preparing for an uncertain future

Looking to the future, Antonio urges media leaders to ask challenging questions about the direction of their organisations and the wider industry. Whether reconsidering funding models, governance or strategic partnerships, he maintains that addressing uncomfortable issues today is essential to creating stronger, more sustainable organisations in the future.

 

Why it matters

Independent media organisations are navigating an ever more complex environment shaped by geopolitical instability, rapid technological change and mounting financial pressures. This conversation explores how leaders can enhance resilience by combining trusted journalism with stronger commercial thinking, responsible AI adoption and long-term organisational capability.

From governance and sustainability to collaboration and public trust, Antonio offers practical insights for leaders working to build stronger information ecosystems in an increasingly uncertain world.

Interested in more Executive Exchange conversations? Watch our interview with Jon Slade, CEO of the Financial Times, on leading through disruption, AI and the future of trusted journalism or hear from Tracy De Groose, CEO of William Reed, as she discusses rethinking publishing, harnessing AI to create deeper intelligence and building resilient information businesses rooted in community and expertise.

FT Strategies has supported news and media organisations globally in defining their strategies and goals, as well as in identifying the appropriate target operating model to achieve them. To find out more about how we can help your organisation,  please get in touch.