Muck Rack has shared its State of Journalism 2026 report. Based on responses from nearly 900 journalists, the research highlights a profession navigating rapid technological change while continuing to prioritize trust, relevance, and community impact in reporting. It also offers a clear look at how PR pros need to adapt their outreach.

Notable takeaways for communicators:

• 86% of journalists say PR pitches inspire stories, but 88% delete pitches that miss their beat.
• 78% say a pitch is truly relevant when it impacts their audience or community, not just their coverage area.
• Journalists say the most valuable pitch elements are clear relevance, credible sources, original data, and strong visuals.
• Journalists prefer 1:1 email pitches under 200 words sent before noon, with one timely follow-up.

If you are interested in reading the full report, please click HERE.