Legacy vs. New Media: Lessons from the Web Summit

Visiting the Web Summit in Portugal is always a confusing experience. Every year, leaders from across the world gather to discuss the future of tech, marketing, AI, and media — across 30 thematic stages. Every session has something worth sharing, but this year, a panel on The Next Wave of Media stood out to me.

The conversation focused on one of the industry’s favorite debates: legacy media versus new media. On one side, you have newspapers, radio, and TV outlets built on decades of credibility, structure, and editorial process. On the other hand, you have digital-first creators, social media platforms, and AI-driven content — fast, accessible, and built for instant consumption. Interestingly, three out of the four panelists made their careers in the so-called legacy media.

It’s easy to frame this as a battle — old versus new — but the panelists challenged that idea. As Lucy Blakiston pointed out, not everything needs to be turned into a TikTok. There’s still value in long-form writing and newsletters — formats that allow for depth, reflection, and storytelling. In her view, this isn’t nostalgia; it’s balance. The medium should match the message. Lucy should know she is the owner of @shityoushouldcareabout on Instagram

Ramin Beheshti of Caliber (owner of The News Movement) offered another alternative perspective: people want simplicity. They want to consume content and get on with their day. The challenge isn’t choosing between old and new, but using the right tools to meet audiences where they are — without losing substance.

In the end, the distinction between legacy and new media might not matter as much as we think. Media, at its core, exists to communicate and connect. Whether that’s through print, video, or AI-generated formats, the goal is the same: to inform, engage, and inspire. Ironically, there is much debate over whether Gen Z has shorter attention spans than previous generations, yet long-form podcasts are more popular than ever with that generation.

Maybe the real next wave of media isn’t about disruption — it’s about integration. A future where storytelling, regardless of format, continues to evolve without forgetting where it came from.