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Journalism and Media
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Unravelling the Media’s Role in Technological Innovation and AI's Environmental,...
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Unravelling the Media’s Role in Technological Innovation and AI's Environmental, Social, and Economic Impacts

A special issue of Journalism and Media (ISSN 2673-5172).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 18736

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mathias Felipe De-Lima-Santos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Language, and Literature (MCCALL), Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia
Interests: media; business model; technological innovation; artificial intelligence; journalism
Dr. Adeola Abdulateef Elega

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mass Communication, Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja 900001, Nigeria
Interests: emerging media; journalism; communication and culture; media coverage and framing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In an era marked by rapid technological innovation and the pervasive influence of artificial intelligence (AI), the media assumes a crucial role in shaping public perception and understanding. This Special Issue aims to unravel the intricate interplay between media narratives, technological innovation, and the diverse impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) on environmental, social, and economic landscapes. We invite contributions that explore the role of the media in shaping narratives around sustainability, that investigate the transformative influence of the media in driving technological advancements, and that scrutinize the varied impacts of AI on our world, encompassing both its positive and negative aspects. The overarching goal of this Special Issue is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how the media contributes to the discourse on sustainability, technological innovations, and the complex ramifications of AI, especially in an era where environmental, social, and corporate governance standards come into play. Our aim is to uncover insights that facilitate informed discussions and contribute to the cultivation of responsible media practices in the digital age. We seek to build upon and complement the existing literature by offering fresh perspectives on sustainable storytelling in media and exploring its evolution in response to technological shifts, particularly in the age of generative AI. We also provide a nuanced examination of the media’s role in the ever-evolving landscape of technological innovation, connecting contemporary developments to historical contexts. Lastly, this Special Issue delves deeper into the multifaceted impacts of AI on the environment, society, and the economy, thereby enhancing the existing body of knowledge on this intricate subject.

Dr. Mathias Felipe De-Lima-Santos
Dr. Adeola Abdulateef Elega
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journalism and Media is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • technological innovation
  • artificial intelligence
  • media
  • coverage
  • impacts
  • environment
  • society
  • economy
  • hype

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 565 KiB  
Article
Is AI Stirring Innovation or Chaos? Psychological Determinants of AI Fake News Exposure (AI-FNE) and Its Effects on Young Adults
by Abdulgaffar Olawale Arikewuyo
Journal. Media 2025, 6(2), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/journalmedia6020053 - 7 Apr 2025
Viewed by 658
Abstract
The rapid rise of fake news has become a growing concern in recent years; moreover, advancements in technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), have further exacerbated this issue by making it increasingly difficult to detect and verify fake news content. Also, the advent of [...] Read more.
The rapid rise of fake news has become a growing concern in recent years; moreover, advancements in technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), have further exacerbated this issue by making it increasingly difficult to detect and verify fake news content. Also, the advent of AI, especially in auto-generated texts and deepfakes, has made identifying such misinformation significantly more challenging, as this may be associated with many predetermined factors. This study, therefore, investigated the psychological factors that influence media consumers’ belief in deepfakes and other AI-generated content, particularly focusing on how this type of news exposure impacts young adults. Using quantitative methodology, the study randomly sampled a total of (N = 381) young adults to explore the relationship between factors like low critical thinking, emotional attachment to news, and susceptibility to AI-generated fake news. The study found a critical linkage in the prediction that low critical thinking exacerbates exposure to AI-generated fake news content. This study validated the assumption that AI fake news exposure significantly predicts low media trust and antisocial behaviours. In addition, the study affirmed that emotional attachment to news will be positively associated with AI-FNE. This study ultimately concludes that factors such as low critical thinking and emotional attachment to news are predeterminants to AI-FNE, while AI-FNE further exacerbates antisocial behaviours and an individual’s belief in news platforms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Unravelling the Media’s Role in Technological Innovation and AI's Environmental, Social, and Economic Impacts)
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15 pages, 247 KiB  
Article
AI in the United Arab Emirates’ Media Sector: Balancing Efficiency and Cultural Integrity
by Asma Hassouni and Noha Mellor
Journal. Media 2025, 6(1), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/journalmedia6010031 - 22 Feb 2025
Viewed by 857
Abstract
This study explores the adoption of AI in the UAE’s creative industries through interviews with nine professionals, primarily Emiratis, from journalism, filmmaking, content creation, and heritage sectors. Their insights shed light on the intricate relationship between technological progress, job stability, and the preservation [...] Read more.
This study explores the adoption of AI in the UAE’s creative industries through interviews with nine professionals, primarily Emiratis, from journalism, filmmaking, content creation, and heritage sectors. Their insights shed light on the intricate relationship between technological progress, job stability, and the preservation of cultural integrity. One of the key observations was the dual nature of AI’s impact: while it undeniably enhances operational efficiency and reduces expenses, there are valid concerns regarding the authenticity and quality of AI-generated content and its potential impact on the development and utilization of professional skills within these industries. Despite the UAE government’s strategic initiatives to promote AI adoption, the findings revealed a notable absence of clear guidelines, placing the onus on individuals to proactively navigate the landscape of AI integration. This research challenges the prevailing narratives that often depict the Global South as passive consumers of technology as it highlights the participants’ acute awareness of the inherent biases present in AI technologies, particularly in the representation of their local culture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Unravelling the Media’s Role in Technological Innovation and AI's Environmental, Social, and Economic Impacts)
13 pages, 254 KiB  
Article
Framing the Schemata: Western Media Coverage of African Technological Innovations
by Gregory Gondwe
Journal. Media 2024, 5(4), 1901-1913; https://doi.org/10.3390/journalmedia5040115 - 14 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1586
Abstract
This study examines the framing of African technological innovations in Western media over the past two decades (2003–2023), focusing on four case studies: M-Pesa, LifeBank, FarmDrive, and NigeriaSat-1. Using a qualitative research design that integrates content analysis and framing theory, we analyze how [...] Read more.
This study examines the framing of African technological innovations in Western media over the past two decades (2003–2023), focusing on four case studies: M-Pesa, LifeBank, FarmDrive, and NigeriaSat-1. Using a qualitative research design that integrates content analysis and framing theory, we analyze how major media outlets, including the BBC, CNN, The Guardian, Reuters, and The New York Times, represent African innovations. The analysis reveals that media coverage tends to frame these innovations primarily through a humanitarian lens, emphasizing their role in addressing poverty, healthcare, and food security challenges. While highlighting the social impact of these technologies, this narrative often overlooks their broader potential for global scalability and industry disruption. To complement the content analysis, we conducted 24 semi-structured interviews with tech entrepreneurs, media professionals, and scholars from Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal, investigating their perspectives on how Western media coverage impacts investment and collaboration in African technological sectors. The interview findings confirm that such media portrayals hinder international investment and partnership opportunities by reinforcing the narrative that African technologies are primarily crisis management tools, rather than innovative solutions with global market potential. This article argues for a shift in this narrative, recommending policies that include strategic media advocacy, enhanced public relations, and increased investment in Research and Development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Unravelling the Media’s Role in Technological Innovation and AI's Environmental, Social, and Economic Impacts)
22 pages, 544 KiB  
Article
Friends or Foes? Exploring the Framing of Artificial Intelligence Innovations in Africa-Focused Journalism
by Abdullateef Mohammed, Adeola Abdulateef Elega, Murtada Busair Ahmad and Felix Oloyede
Journal. Media 2024, 5(4), 1749-1770; https://doi.org/10.3390/journalmedia5040106 - 18 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2568
Abstract
The rise and widespread use of generative AI technologies, including ChatGPT, Claude, Synthesia, DALL-E, Gemini, Meta AI, and others, have raised fresh concerns in journalism practice. While the development represents a source of hope and optimism for some practitioners, including journalists and editors, [...] Read more.
The rise and widespread use of generative AI technologies, including ChatGPT, Claude, Synthesia, DALL-E, Gemini, Meta AI, and others, have raised fresh concerns in journalism practice. While the development represents a source of hope and optimism for some practitioners, including journalists and editors, others express a cautious outlook given the possibilities of its misuse. By leveraging the Google News aggregator service, this research conducts a content and thematic analysis of Africa-focused journalistic articles that touch on the impacts of artificial intelligence technology in journalism practice. Findings indicate that, while the coverage is predominantly positive, the tone of the articles reflects a news industry cautiously navigating the integration of AI. Ethical concerns regarding AI use in journalism were frequently highlighted, which indicates significant apprehension on the part of the news outlets. A close assessment of views presented in a smaller portion of the reviewed articles revealed a sense of unease around the conversation of power in the hands of tech giants. The impact of AI on the financial stability of media outlets was framed as minimal at present, suggesting a neutral, wait-and-see position of news outlets. Our analysis of predominantly quoted sources in the articles revealed that industry professionals and technology experts emerge as the most vocal voices shaping the narrative around AI’s practical applications and technical capabilities in the continent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Unravelling the Media’s Role in Technological Innovation and AI's Environmental, Social, and Economic Impacts)
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15 pages, 290 KiB  
Article
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Contemporary Journalism Practice in Two African Countries
by Theodora Dame Adjin-Tettey, Tigere Muringa, Samuel Danso and Siphumelele Zondi
Journal. Media 2024, 5(3), 846-860; https://doi.org/10.3390/journalmedia5030054 - 28 Jun 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 11655
Abstract
Contemporary discussions about the application of artificial intelligence in newsrooms are commonplace because of the unique opportunities it presents for news media. This study investigated the intricate relationship between journalism and AI with the broad research question: How are journalists adopting AI technologies [...] Read more.
Contemporary discussions about the application of artificial intelligence in newsrooms are commonplace because of the unique opportunities it presents for news media. This study investigated the intricate relationship between journalism and AI with the broad research question: How are journalists adopting AI technologies and what challenges and opportunities do such technologies present to them? Eighteen journalists practising in Ghana and South Africa were interviewed through qualitative research techniques. Transcribed interview data were analysed thematically using the data analysis method proposed by Charmaz. The findings were that most newsrooms in the two countries have not formally incorporated AI tools into newsroom practices. However, journalists use AI tools at their discretion in a non-complex manner, such as transcription, research, generating story ideas, and fact-checking. Practical limitations to the formal integration of AI technology into newsroom operations include cost, language barrier, and aversion to change. Although participants recognised the advantages of employing AI for newsroom tasks, they were also concerned about the ethical quandaries of misinformation, improper attribution, and intellectual property. Participants also thought that fact-checking and mindfulness regarding ethical usage might increase ethical AI usage in newsrooms. This study adds an important perspective on AI’s role in African journalism, addressing the obstacles and ethics concerns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Unravelling the Media’s Role in Technological Innovation and AI's Environmental, Social, and Economic Impacts)
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