Virtual Reality (VR) has evolved from its early experimental phase to become a strategically key, more integrated part of many newsrooms globally.

But how are news organisations addressing the challenges of content and user experience? And will VR ever become mainstream?

A new Reuters Institute report VR for News: The New Reality? by Zillah Watson, who has led the editorial development of VR experimentation at the BBC, examines ongoing developments in VR, the major challenges – both in terms of content and application, and technology – and what the future of VR might look like for news organisations around the world.

Watson interviewed more than 20 leading figures in news organisations in the US and Europe for the report. She examines current developments in VR, the major challenges in terms of content, application and technology – and what the future of VR might look like for news organisations around the world.

“The speed of development of VR in news has been incredible but to achieve VR’s true potential we now need to make VR work for audiences.” says Watson.

“We can shape the future, with a genuinely creative technology, with the potential to transform the way news output is made and consumed. Both the news and tech industries are aware of the challenges that need to be overcome. To bring audiences the many benefits of VR, they need to continue to work together to solve these problems.”