News Corp’s ‘future report’, BEYOND ’22, sets scene for coming years

News Corp’s inaugural ‘future report’ — a series of essays discussing the themes, issues and trends likely to be central to life in Australia and overseas in coming years.

Michael Miller, executive chairman of News Corp Australasia: ‘BEYOND’22 challenges all of us to think big, to aim higher, to push ourselves and each other.’ Picture: Liam Kidston.

News Corp has produced its inaugural “future report” – a collection of essays by a cross-section of the company’s executives and journalists, discussing the themes, issues and trends that are likely to be central to life in Australia and overseas in the next few years.

Titled BEYOND’22, the 148-page hardcover book will be distributed to politicians, community leaders and the company’s clients early in the new year.

It aims to encourage corporate conversations across the broad subject areas of business, living, storytelling, experiences, and tech & data.

The concept of a future report was inspired by a similar annual initiative at Oslo-based media group Schibsted, with News Corp Australia’s inaugural edition driven by the company’s executive chairman Michael Miller.

In his foreword to the book, Mr Miller writes: “If ever there was a time for journalism to be bold and forward-looking, this is it.

“BEYOND’22 challenges all of us to think big, to aim higher, to push ourselves and each other.

“The themes and issues it presents matter to all of us because they impact all of us.”

Among the contributors is News Corp’s chief technology officer Julian Delany, who writes about the need for technologists to take the lead and instigate positive change in society.

“Technology leaders and their teams are being looked upon as vehicles for change and the next 12 months are going to be pivotal.

‘The role of leaders in this space has never been more important as we adjust to new business environments, a fiercely competitive job market and the resurgence of the economy.”

Penny Fowler, chairman of The Herald and Weekly Times, reflects on changing attitudes, and shifting treatments, of mental health.

“In at least the near to medium term, and probably far beyond, Australians from all walks of life will experience an increasing need for mental health support.”

Lou Barrett, News Corp’s managing director, national sales, looks at how interpersonal relationships, particularly in the business world, will be revived post-Covid.

“Relationships, despite being the least technological element of modern life, are simply one of the most critical ingredients of our lives, and underpin business success,” she writes.

“Like personal relationships, business relationships must be cultivated, nurtured and maintained over a sustained period of time in order to achieve maximum results.”

The Australian’s foreign editor Greg Sheridan gives his take on the geo-strategic uncertainty in the region, and what it means for the development of Australia’s defence force over the next few years, while the newspaper’s editor-at-large Paul Kelly ponders the future of the federation in the face of powerful premiers.