The demand for reliable business news is growing. Top media outlets, CNN, BBC, The New York Times, Reuters, and The Wall Street Journal remain trusted sources globally. Each continues to adapt to digital platforms while upholding core journalism values: accuracy, impartiality, and transparency.
As per the latest media reports and surveys, the following media outlets have stood out in 2025, delivering excellence and credible news.
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CNN remains a global leader in breaking news and real-time reporting, with a strong international presence and digital reach.
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BBC is recognized for its journalistic integrity, impartiality, and expansive global network, making it one of the most trusted and fastest-growing news websites.
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The New York Times continues to set editorial standards with investigative journalism and in-depth analysis, maintaining a vast digital subscriber base and global influence.
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Reuters is a primary source for unbiased business, financial, and world news, with a massive global footprint and syndication to other outlets.
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The Wall Street Journal is a key resource for business and financial insights, trusted by professionals and recognized for its factual reporting and market analysis.
Misinformation spreads rapidly online. So trust is more critical than ever, and readers certainly prefer unbiased news. Such reporting not only builds public confidence but also keeps governments, institutions, and corporations accountable.
However, as media shifts from print to digital, its environmental impact also evolves. So here we would discuss the carbon footprint of these media giants and their sustainability efforts to meet net-zero targets.
The Media Industry’s Carbon Footprint
While switching from print to digital cuts down paper waste, it also creates carbon emissions. Online publishing, video streaming, and real-time updates rely on large data centers that use a lot of energy.
Thus, the carbon footprint of media outlets, especially those with significant digital and streaming operations, has become a major environmental concern.
- Research from Futuresource and InterDigital estimates that the TV and video streaming industry accounts for 4% of total global emissions.
Print editions, like those from The New York Times, still generate emissions from production and delivery. Meanwhile, parent companies like Warner Bros. Discovery (CNN) are adopting renewable energy and reducing waste across operations.
Also, AI-driven reporting cuts travel emissions but adds energy demand. To remain sustainable, the media industry must invest in green data infrastructure and transparent carbon reporting.
1. CNN Rides Warner Bros.’ Green Goals
CNN hasn’t published a standalone carbon footprint or its own emissions report. However, its parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, has committed to clear sustainability goals that influence CNN’s operations.
Digital Shift Drives Emissions
CNN runs energy-heavy operations, including streaming, news gathering, and data centers. Its shift to digital-first content reduced paper waste but increased electricity use.
Streaming, a key part of CNN’s digital platform, drives global demand for data. Experts estimate that video streaming alone may cause up to 1% of global carbon emissions.
Thus, CNN benefits from its parent company’s broader sustainability plan. Warner Bros has taken steps to cut environmental impact and lower greenhouse gas emissions by:
- Invested in renewable energy and energy efficiency across operations
- Support industry-wide environmental standards
- Rolled out waste reduction initiatives across its media brands.
Leading with Climate Coverage
CNN plays a vital role in climate journalism. It consistently reports on climate change, carbon emissions, clean energy, and sustainability innovation.
Its stories spotlight technologies like carbon capture, sustainable aviation fuel, and renewable power, keeping the public informed and engaged. CNN also covers major policy moves, such as the EU’s push for sustainable aviation fuel and the global net-zero by 2050 target.
These company-wide actions help reduce CNN’s indirect environmental impact.
2. BBC Targets Net Zero by 2050 with Strong Emissions Cuts
The BBC aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, aligning with the UK government’s climate goals. It has outlined its environmental sustainability strategy, emphasizing its commitment to becoming Net Zero and Nature Positive.
It plans to cut direct emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) by 46% and value chain emissions (Scope 3) by 28% by 2030, using 2019/20 as the baseline. The SBTi approved both short- and long-term goals.
- Its total emissions amounted to 374,063 tons CO₂e in 2023/24, up 7% from the 2019/20 total of 350,893 tons.
The increase is attributed to value chain emissions as they remain a growing challenge.
However, by 2023/24, it reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 21%, exceeding its target of 17%. It achieved this by upgrading buildings, cutting gas use, and reducing diesel in production.
Notably, the media company now requires all non-news TV productions to meet the BAFTA Albert sustainability standard. Producers must submit carbon action plans and measure emissions. As of January 2024, the BBC ended mandatory offsetting and redirected efforts toward direct decarbonization.
With these initiatives, they remain committed to sustainable operations and credible climate reporting.
3. New York Times’ (NYT) Emission-Cutting Strategy
The New York Times has taken steps to lower its environmental impact by improving energy efficiency across its facilities and using more sustainable methods in printing and distribution.
It measures its Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions using the financial control boundary method defined by the GHG Protocol. This approach helps identify emission sources and areas for reduction. The company bases its carbon reduction target on the GHG Protocol’s market-based method.
Between 2019 and 2023, the company reduced its purchased electricity use by 16%. However, Scope 2 location-based emissions rose by 18% during the same period. This increase mainly resulted from a less renewable power mix in New York City.
The company’s progress toward its carbon-neutral target depends, in part, on the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) reaching its goal of 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and a zero-emission grid by 2040.
4. Thomson Reuters: Climate Action and ESG Progress
Reuters operates in over 200 locations, providing accurate, fact-based reporting.
Thomson Reuters sees ESG as important for long-term success. The board oversees key ESG areas, but employees lead efforts in sustainability, inclusion, and community work.
It supports global standards like the UN Global Compact and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. It also works to promote UN Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
Environmental Commitments and Climate Goals
The company continues to reduce its global environmental impact by using 100% renewable electricity across all operations. This is done by matching energy use with renewable energy credits worldwide. Thomson Reuters also works with suppliers to lower emissions across its value chain.
In 2020, it joined the SBTi, and its key goals include:
- Cutting Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2030 (from a 2018 baseline)
- Reducing Scope 3 emissions from energy, travel, and commuting by 25% by 2025 (from a 2019 baseline)
- Ensuring 65% of supplier spending aligns with science-based targets by 2025
Since 2020, it has sourced 100% renewable power and reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by over 93% from 2018 levels. Business travel emissions are down 63% from 2019. Currently, 41% of its suppliers (by spend) have committed to science-based climate targets.
Thomson Reuters uses carbon offsets for its remaining emissions and to stay carbon neutral. It also spends 7% of its U.S.-based budget with diverse suppliers and plans to maintain this level through 2024.
5. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Carbon Footprint Not Separately Reported
The Wall Street Journal is owned by Dow Jones & Company, which in turn is a subsidiary of News Corp.
There is no publicly available, standalone carbon footprint report specifically for WSJ as of 2025. Any emissions data or sustainability disclosures would be included under the broader corporate reporting of Dow Jones or News Corp, not as a separate WSJ-specific document.
News Corp aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. However, WSJ’s environmental impact is mainly from digital and print operations, but specific figures are not published.
Global Media Market to Hit $2.83 Trillion in 2025, Driven by Digital Shift
A study from The Business Research Company revealed that the global media market is set for strong growth in 2025, rising from $2,616.7 billion in 2024 to $2,833.22 billion in 2025, with a CAGR of 8.3%.
- This upward trend is expected to continue, reaching $3,814.84 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 7.7%.
Growth is fueled by a rising global population, rapid tech advancement, media mergers, and increased mobile video consumption.
Meanwhile, Statista projects the global digital newspapers and magazines segment will generate $41.28 billion in 2025, growing to $44.54 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 1.92%. The U.S. will lead with an expected $16.73 billion in revenue. Subscription-based models are gaining popularity as audiences seek premium content.
By 2025, trusted media outlets will go beyond reporting news. They will embrace digital transformation, fight misinformation, and work to lower their environmental impact. In an era defined by data and climate awareness, credibility and sustainability will define the media landscape.
