Oslo, Norway – Media leaders and publishing professionals will meet in Oslo, Norway, from November 18 to 19 for the 2026 Newsroom Summit, a gathering focused on editorial innovation, digital transformation and the future of news publishing.
The summit will be hosted by Verdens Gang, commonly known as VG, at its offices in Akersgata 55, Oslo. VG is described as Norway’s leading digital media house and the flagship news brand of Schibsted.
The event is being organised by the World Association of News Publishers, WAN IFRA, which brings together publishers, editors and media executives through conferences and industry programmes around the world. 
Unlike large media conferences, the summit will have a limited number of participants. Organisers said this format will allow editors, product specialists and media strategists to hold direct discussions about the challenges facing newsrooms in different markets.
Participants will get an opportunity to learn how VG is reshaping its editorial products and finding new ways to create value for audiences. Discussions will also examine how innovation is being implemented across the wider Schibsted organisation.
The programme will focus on practical newsroom experiences, with speakers expected to share what has worked, what has failed and what they would do differently. The event is also designed to give media leaders time away from daily newsroom pressures to reflect on leadership, sustainability and digital strategy.
Registration fees
Publishers who register before August 15 will qualify for the early bird rate.
WAN IFRA members will pay €1,090, excluding value added tax where applicable, while non members will pay €1,490 under the early bird offer.
The standard fee is €1,390 for WAN IFRA members and €1,790 for non members, also excluding value added tax where applicable.
Virginia Melero, Deputy Director of the Digital Revenue Network at WAN IFRA, is available to provide discount codes and assist with registration enquiries. She can be contacted at virginia.melero@wan-ifra.org.
Rocío Valderrábano, Project Manager for the Digital Revenue Network, is also available at rocio.valderrabano@wan-ifra.org. Sponsorship and exhibition enquiries can be directed to connect@wan-ifra.org.
Study tour before summit
WAN IFRA will host a Media Transformation and Innovation Study Tour in Oslo from November 15 to 17, ahead of the main summit.
The tour will take participants to leading Norwegian news publishers, where they will meet editors, audience managers and digital revenue specialists. They will also have an opportunity to discuss newsroom operations, digital transformation and methods of sharing content with audiences.
Norwegian publishers have gained international attention for their digital first approach, organisational flexibility, use of technology and efforts to develop sustainable revenue models.
The tour will examine how media organisations are meeting revenue targets through content monetisation, newsroom structures and the management of digital change.
The programme is open exclusively to publishers, including editors in chief, managing editors, digital editors and digital marketing leaders. It is also intended for media professionals involved in newsroom transformation and sustainability.
Details of the newsrooms to be visited will be announced later. Virginia Melero is handling enquiries and expressions of interest.
Speakers
The summit and study tour will feature media leaders from several countries.
Veslemøy Østrem, Editor in Chief of Altinget Norway, will be among the speakers. She previously served as Managing News Editor at Vårt Land and headed Norway’s Media Network, an organisation created to strengthen diversity and leadership in the country’s media industry. She has also held several leadership positions at Aftenposten, including responsibility for policy, finance and culture.
Christian Tretbar, Editor in Chief of Germany’s Tagesspiegel, has worked for the newspaper since 2004 and has led it since 2021. He began his career as a sports reporter before covering domestic politics and later overseeing the publication’s digital transformation.
Portugal will be represented by Catarina Carvalho, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mensagem de Lisboa. She is a former Executive Editor of Diário de Notícias and previously served as a Visiting Fellow at the Reuters Institute. At Diário de Notícias, she led the newspaper’s move towards a digital first model, with the print edition eventually being published only on Saturdays.
Nicola Voltolin, Chief Digital Officer at Italy’s Athesis Group, will discuss digital strategy, product development, data, artificial intelligence and audience growth. He has more than 15 years of experience in digital communication and marketing and has worked on membership models and local journalism projects.
Sweden’s Martin Schori, Co founder of Hint Media, will also take part. He previously served as Deputy Publisher and Director of Editorial AI and Innovation at Aftonbladet, where he led the publication’s Artificial Intelligence Hub.
Lisa MacLeod, Director at FT Strategies in the United Kingdom, brings more than 25 years of experience in the shift from print to digital media. She previously held several senior positions at the Financial Times and led digital transformation projects at Tiso Blackstar, now Arena Holdings, and Naspers’s 24.com in South Africa.
Ukraine will be represented by Martin Fornusek, a reporter at The Kyiv Independent. He covers international and regional politics, history and disinformation, with particular attention to developments involving Ukraine and Russia. He has also appeared on Times Radio, France 24, Czech Television and Radio Free Europe.
Pierre Caulliez, founder of Yoof and lead of WAN IFRA’s News Creator Exchange, will bring experience in helping media organisations reach Gen Z audiences. His work focuses on the creator economy, youth news consumption and new formats for digital journalism.
The summit is intended for media professionals seeking practical ideas on newsroom innovation, audience development, revenue generation and long term sustainability.
