Dayan Candappa on Transformational Journalism

Are we living through the most transformative era for journalism since the invention of the printing press? A compelling argument can be made that we are-and the changes have only just begun, according to Dayan Candappa, Chief Content Officer at Newsweek.

A NEW ERA FOR AN ICONIC PUBLICATION
Newsweek, the 92-year-old institution, has weathered a whirlwind of transformation. After near-death experiences, its current management team, led by Owner, President, and CEO Dev Pragad, took over in 2018. Under their leadership, Newsweek has reinvented itself as a digital powerhouse, reaching more than 100 million readers per month. This remarkable turnaround raises critical questions: Where does the platform go from here, and how can it sustain its growth?
For Candappa, the answer lies in reimagining journalism itself. “Journalists are evolving into entrepreneurs,” he asserts. “The traditional business model no longer supports classic reporting. It’s akin to the transition from horse-drawn carriages to automobiles or from propeller planes to jets.”

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNALIST
Candappa emphasizes that today’s journalists are venturing beyond traditional newsrooms and storytelling.

“The challenge isn’t what to say or how to tell a story,” Candappa explains. “It’s how to get your story in front of the right people. That requires entrepreneurship. If you have something valuable to say, you need innovative ways to reach your audience.”

Success, he notes, hinges on the intersection of audience and content. “When your audience and content converge, you achieve validation. The opposite-dismissing new platforms like podcasts as inferior-is a death knell for your business.”

A TWO-PRONGED STRATEGY
Candappa outlines a dual approach for thriving in this new media environment:

1. Go on the Offensive
“In a shrinking media marketplace, we must evaluate and implement every opportunity,” Candappa says. For instance, rather than fearing AI, he advocates monetizing it. “Think about this: Maybe creating content won’t even be a life skill in five years. Today, I can write and edit in Japanese without speaking the language. This shifts how we think about storytelling.”

Despite AI’s capabilities, Candappa believes human journalists will always have the edge in building trust, forging connections, and eliciting authentic stories-something machines can’t replicate.

2. Defend the Fortress
The second strategy involves reinforcing strengths that complement technology. Events are a prime example. “As long as jobs are held by humans, people will want to meet and hear from leaders,” Candappa says. “This is immune to AI. We are social beings.”
Surprisingly, print remains another stronghold. “In a world flooded with digital content, print’s scarcity creates value,” he explains. Newsweek’s product and service rankings have driven renewed demand for its print editions, with the publication expanding from 35 issues back to 45 annually-and counting.

GENERATIONAL RELEVANCE AND NEW PLATFORMS
Candappa highlights the need to connect with younger audiences through unconventional means. “Mainstream media must recognize and curate the voices of non-mainstream celebrities,” he says. “These figures provide generational access and relevance.”
Podcasts are a key avenue. “And I don’t mean the ones you and I listen to,” Candappa quips. “The average age in our newsroom is 27, and even that’s too old for platforms like TikTok, where the median age is 21. We need that mindset.”

A BOLD MINDSET FOR THE FUTURE
Ultimately, Candappa believes success requires embracing risk and building something new. “It’s a mindset,” he says. “We’re doing something bigger than meets the eye. Yes, it may doom the current system, but that’s okay. If we believe in ourselves, we will succeed.”

ABOUT NEWSWEEK
Newsweek is a global digital news organization rooted in the legacy of its iconic 92-year-old American magazine. Reaching 100 million people monthly, Newsweek delivers thought-provoking news, opinions, images, and videos across multiple print and digital platforms. Headquartered in New York City, Newsweek also publishes international editions in EMEA and Asia.