Search Results (23)

Social media use is commonplace for journalists in newsgathering, including reporting newsworthy deaths. Journalists have revised their death knock practice of physically doorknocking bereaved families to a preference for digital methods to solicit comment and context for stories about fatal incidents. This is gleaned from social media. A 2021–2022 Australian mixed-methods study, including a survey and semi-structured interviews, found that journalists use social media as a tool to find, contact, and interview people, and as a source of facts, photographs, and comments for stories. Journalists are at risk of moral injury, which occurs when they breach their own moral code, including through institutional betrayal. This article argues the digital death knock increases the risk of moral injury because unfettered access to, and sanctioned use of, social media material creates new ethical complexities. It proposes that fundamental to the journalist’s risk of moral injury is their view of the journalist–source relationship, which might in turn reflect their underlying ethical framework. The journalist who preferences utilitarian ethics—the greatest good for the greatest number—may see a source as means to an end; however, the journalist who preferences deontological ethics—respect for persons as an end in themselves—may owe the source a greater duty of care, which, if breached, may make them vulnerable to moral injury. Full article

The transformative influence of digitalization on journalism is evident across multiple dimensions of the industry. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping how news is produced, distributed, and consumed, from small local newsrooms to global media organizations, offering benefits such as increased speed, efficiency, and personalization. However, the most critical role AI can play lies in upholding the high standards of accuracy, credibility, and depth that define quality journalism. The ongoing digital transformation prompts a re-evaluation of journalistic norms and practices, positioning quality at the forefront of discussions. This paper focuses on Greece’s media market that encountered a severe economic crisis and, more specifically, to the Greek local media landscape to investigate the complex relationship between AI and journalism in regional media organizations. More specific, the study explores how Greek local journalists believe AI can contribute to quality journalism, while upholding the core principles of ethics and integrity. It highlights their perspectives on AI, exploring both their hopes for its potential to improve journalistic practices and their concerns about its impact on journalistic values. Through semi-structured interviews with local media industry stakeholders in Greece—including editors, editors-in-chief, and journalists—this study assesses AI’s influence on journalistic quality in local newsrooms. The findings underscore the necessity of employing AI to elevate content standards rather than compromise them. Our research contributes to the discourse on AI in journalism and offers valuable insights for journalists, local news organizations, and policymakers navigating the ethical implications of AI adoption in the pursuit of high-quality journalism in Greek local media. Full article

Artificial intelligence has made its mark on the media industry in Romania, and television is one of the sectors most affected by its development. This paper analyzes through a quantitative method the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on television from the perspective of media industry professionals in Romania. The research was conducted usinga quantitative method based on a structured questionnaire. The study focuses on the responses of 128 journalists working in local and national TV stations directly involved in content creation and editorial or production processes. We selected this sample because media specialists have the knowledge to express informed opinions on this subject. The survey results show that artificial intelligence is increasingly used in Romanian newsrooms. Television professionals believe that artificial intelligence tools are helpful and that they can improve the quality of content. However, at the same time, there are serious concerns about the possibility that jobs could be affected. In addition, the risk of misinformation is growing with the increasing use of artificial intelligence tools. Findings suggest that strategic, industry-wide regulations and ethical guidelines are essential to balance AI adoption while safeguarding media integrity. This research may serve media organizations, policymakers, and academia in formulating informed approaches toward AI. Full article

This study aims to explore the perceptions of Greek journalists and academics on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Greek journalism, focusing on its benefits, risks, and potential ethical dilemmas. In particular, it seeks to (i) assess the extent of the use of AI tools by Greek journalists; (ii) investigate views on how AI might alter news production, work routines, and labor relations in the field; and (iii) examine perspectives on the ethical challenges of AI in journalism, particularly in regard to AI-generated images in media content. To achieve this, a series of 28 in-depth semi-structured interviews was conducted with Greek journalists and academics. A thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes and patterns. Overall, the findings suggest that AI penetration in Greek journalism is in its early stages, with no formal training, strategy, or framework in place within Greek media. Regarding ethical concerns, there is evident skepticism and caution among journalists and academics about issues, such as, data bias, transparency, privacy, and copyright, which are further intensified by the absence of a regulatory framework. Full article

Through long-form, creative, high-quality stories, slow journalism seeks to counteract the effects of speed and immediacy in news production and consumption primarily driven by technological advancements. The advantages of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism include generating and enhancing content, reducing workloads, and consequently giving journalists more time for non-routine and creative tasks. This raises the question of where AI fits into slow journalism. Twenty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with practitioners of slow journalism in Spain to explore their use, attitudes, and perceptions of AI in their work. The findings indicate that the interviewees make rudimentary use of AI tools, and their attitudes range from a slight lack of interest to a willingness to learn more about them, alongside concerns regarding ethical boundaries and the potential for job losses. They assert that they have a moral and human responsibility when producing stories that AI cannot enhance in terms of quality, creativity, and emotional depth. It can be concluded that AI offers little to ‘slow’ journalists due to the significant limitations in enhancing long-form reporting. At most, it may enable them to streamline repetitive and non-creative work, thereby allowing the depth required in slow journalism, at least in its current state of development. Full article

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

Artificial intelligence (AI) and big data have impacted different professional sectors in our society. Communication and journalism are clearly among them. From the automatic generation of content to the identification of topics of interest or monitoring of users’ usage habits, AI introduces important training challenges for professionals in the field of communication. Meanwhile, big data analytics enables data journalists to handle large amounts of information in an automated manner, allowing them to perform in-depth analysis of disorganized data. This study analyzes the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data in the curricula of journalism degrees offered by Spanish universities. The research employs quantitative and qualitative methods to examine the typology, syllabus, and distribution of subjects directly or indirectly addressing AI and big data topics, based on indicators such as structure, credit system, objectives, competencies, and professional profiles. The results reveal a scarce integration of AI and Big Data subjects in journalism curricula in Spain. Among the analyzed courses, only seven addressed data journalism as a complete course, while 19 introduced AI and Big Data as part of more general content. The study highlights the need for journalism education to adapt to the disruptive impact of AI and big data on the profession. It discusses the debate between focusing on teaching technological skills versus providing critical and ethical values. The research aims to contribute to the discussion on the readiness of journalism curricula to cope with technological advancements by analyzing the Spanish case. Full article

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been emerging as a topic of significant interest, attracting the attention of the public and leading to an increase in research and on media coverage of this technology. This article examines how the Brazilian and Portuguese media represent AI in journalism and the challenges it poses. Using digital methods, this study analysed 60 news articles published between June 2022 and June 2024. The data were collected through an anonymous search on Google News, and the content was analysed using sentiment analysis with the PTNews software, followed by a similarity analysis using the Iramuteq software. The results show a predominantly positive sentiment towards AI in journalism, with 91.8% of articles highlighting its benefits, such as increased efficiency and the automation of routine tasks. However, concerns about disinformation, ethical implications, and the potential erosion of journalistic credibility were less emphasised. The analysis also identified key themes, including AI’s dual role as both an enabler and a threat to journalism, the importance of human oversight, and the challenges of newsroom adaptation. The findings suggest that the Brazilian and Portuguese media generally present AI as an opportunity for journalism, often downplaying the associated risks and ethical challenges. Full article

Artificial Intelligence (AI) fundamentally changes journalism, yet a comprehensive understanding of its impact is limited. This study presents the first systematic review to thoroughly analyze the influence of AI on journalistic practices, news narratives, and emerging ethical challenges. A rigorous analysis of 127 studies selected from 2478 original articles reveals trends in AI adoption in newsrooms, changes in journalists’ roles, innovations in news presentation, and emerging ethical implications. The key findings show a significant increase in the use of AI for news writing automation (73% of news organizations), data analysis (68%), and content personalization (62%). While AI improves efficiency and accuracy, 42% of studies reported concerns about reduced levels of nuance and context in AI-generated news. We also identified the emergence of hybrid “journalist–programmer” roles (52% of studies) and the need for “AI literacy” among journalists (38% of studies). The most prominent ethical challenges include algorithm transparency (82% of studies), data privacy (76%), and accountability relative to AI content (71%). Regional analysis reveals significant gaps in AI adoption, with important implications for global information equity. This review highlights the ongoing transformation in journalism, identifies critical gaps in current research, and offers an agenda for future investigation. Our findings provide valuable insights for media practitioners, policymakers, and researchers seeking to understand and shape the future of journalism in the age of AI. Full article

Online media serves as the central platform for information dissemination; however, the rise of information disorders threatens the credibility and authenticity of public information. In China, the transformative impact of the digital age has intensified these disorders, significantly altering the media ecology. This study investigated the underlying mechanisms of information overload, algorithmic intervention, and audience polarization, which contribute to the phenomenon of information disorders. By analyzing the roles of content producers, distribution mediums, and audiences within the Chinese context, the study offers a comprehensive understanding of these dynamics. Furthermore, addressing information disorders within the digital media ecosystem has become a critical global challenge. Through a systematic literature review, this study explored potential strategies for mitigating these disorders in China, emphasizing the application of constructive journalism. The constructive journalism framework is proposed as a set of journalistic norms that can foster a healthier and more sustainable online media environment. By enhancing professional ethics, clarifying the instrumental rationality of technology, and employing positive psychology, this approach aims to reduce audience polarization and realize the public value of information dissemination. Full article

Digital journalism is facing a growing number of challenges as the wave of digital transformation enters a new phase. The changes, both slow and sudden, are making it increasingly necessary for there to be a shift amid the transition. The surge of artificial intelligence (AI) in the journalistic world has ushered in what appears to be a new phase for digitalisation and journalism’s role as a producer of factual information and knowledge in society. Current debates suggest that we are at a critical time to reinvent journalism for the new wave of digital transformation. In this stage, which recently began and which some are calling the Fourth Industrial Revolution, both professionals and academics point to the need to make journalism more resilient, so it can adapt to the changes without losing its basic essence, and more people-centred, helping to support individuals in the age of AI. This article analyses the challenges from the perspectives of both academics and professional journalists, based on their codes of ethics. The methodology used is a content analysis of 45 European ethical codes and the Delphi method, involving experts from the journalistic sector and academia. The results highlight that codes of ethics have not kept pace with these professionally and expert-led debates, as few mention new technologies such as artificial intelligence and they tend to focus more on disinformation and social engagement. Full article

Academic interest in AI in journalism has been growing since 2018. Through a systematic review of the literature from 2014 to 2023, this study discusses the evolution of research in the field and how AI has changed journalism. The aim is to understand the impact of AI on journalism, based on a review of academic papers and a qualitative analysis of the most cited articles. This study combines: a systematic review of scientific articles extracted from Web of Science and Scopus (n = 699) and a qualitative approach with categorical content analysis of those with more than 50 citations (n = 59). The results (n = 699) highlight the prominence of authors from the Universities of Amsterdam and Santiago de Compostela. The United States has the largest number of authorships: 261 distributed across 99 institutions. The categorical content analysis (n = 59) shows a focus on issues like the work of the journalist, because AI is replacing journalists with repetitive and monotonous tasks, raising several questions about the role of the journalist. The findings show the rise of computational methods, highlighting the pervasiveness of AI in research, which has not been explored in previous work. Ethics, regulation, and journalism education remain under-discussed in research. Full article

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

Generative artificial intelligence (GAI) is a technology based on algorithms, models, etc., that creates content such as text, audio, images, videos, and code. GAI is deeply integrated into journalism as tools, platforms and systems. However, GAI’s role in journalism dilutes the power of media professionals, changes traditional news production and poses ethical questions. This study attempts to systematically answer these ethical questions in specific journalistic practices from the perspectives of journalistic professionalism and epistemology. Building on the review of GAI’s development and application, this study identifies the responsibilities of news organizations, journalists and audiences, ensuring that they realize the potential of GAI while adhering to journalism professionalism and universal human values to avoid negative technological effects. Full article

While religious dogma and science are often viewed at odds, scientific knowledge is increasingly integrated into religious journalism. This challenges the epistemic tenets that underlie the worldviews of religious readers. In this study, we aim to investigate the role of religious journalists as science gatekeepers and, more specifically, uncover their ethos in advocating science communication to their audience, amid widespread ambivalence. To this end, we focus on the ethical gaze of ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) Jews in Israel. An enclaved religious group that has a history of challenging scientific precepts and has of late demonstrated various levels of ambivalence and resistance to scientifically inspired policies made during the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, we conducted in-depth interviews with 20 Haredi editors, radio and print/online journalists, engaged with science reporting before and during the COVID-19 outbreak. The findings unveil several ethical facets employed by Haredi journalists: care, community, professionalism, and religion. The findings also outline the interaction between professional, religious, and communal codes of conduct, as they play out in bounded mediascapes. Accordingly, religious journalists’ role breaches traditional boundaries as they respond and strive to integrate multiple sources of knowledge for what they see as the betterment of their devout readers. Full article