News Production Research Articles

The Intersection of AI, Ethics, and Journalism: Greek Journalists’ and Academics’ Perspectives

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.

The Impact of New Media on Contemporary Journalism

This paper explores the profound impact of new media technologies on contemporary journalism. Digital platforms, social media, and mobile technologies have transformed the landscape of news production, distribution, and consumption. This study examines the changes in journalistic practices, the challenges and opportunities presented by new media, and the implications for news quality and credibility. This research employs a qualitative, interpretative design, including a systematic literature review methodology. The technique employs a content analysis framework to discern repeating themes, trends, and theoretical advancements in the examined literature. The data for this study were obtained from peer-reviewed academic publications, books, and research projects published from 2015 to 2021. The sample used purposive sampling to identify highly cited and thematically relevant research papers. Data was analyzed by using a thematic analysis framework. This paper provides insights into how new media reshapes journalism and offers recommendations for adapting to the evolving media environment. The rapid evolution of new media technologies has profoundly reshaped contemporary journalism, introducing both opportunities and challenges. This paper investigates the impact of new media, including digital platforms, social media, and mobile technologies, on modern journalistic practices and the broader media landscape. The study also reveals that new media has disrupted traditional journalistic workflows, leading to faster news cycles and greater audience engagement but also contributing to the spread of misinformation and challenges to news quality. Findings highlight the tension between democratising content creation and the erosion of established journalistic standards. The paper discusses the implications of these changes for news credibility and the sustainability of news organisations. It concludes with recommendations for adapting journalistic practices to maintain integrity and relevance in an increasingly digital world. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of how new media influences contemporary journalism and offers strategic insights for navigating the evolving media environment.

Counting on Diversity: Approaches to Tracking Sources in U.S. News Organizations

ABSTRACT Growing numbers of U.S. news organizations have begun systematically tracking the diversity of the sources quoted or featured in their coverage in efforts to address long-standing problems of inequity in their newsrooms and reporting. These efforts have received only limited attention from scholars. This descriptive paper takes stock of these initiatives and offers a typology of three approaches to source tracking: what we call retroactive source auditing, real-time source tracking, and automated source monitoring. We discuss practical and analytic trade-offs associated with each approach including the characteristics that can be tracked, how well integrated approaches are with newsroom workflows, how each involves different considerations with respect to how data are handled, and the actionability of that data on news production practices. As more and more newsrooms consider implementing initiatives designed to track diversity in sourcing patterns, we argue for the importance of further scholarship evaluating the impact these approaches may have on journalistic practice as well as the content of news coverage.

Ethical Guidelines for the Application of Generative AI in German Journalism

Generative Artificial Intelligence (genAI) holds immense potential in revolutionizing journalism and media production processes. By harnessing genAI, journalists can streamline various tasks, including content creation, curation, and dissemination. Through genAI, journalists already automate the generation of diverse news articles, ranging from sports updates and financial reports to weather forecasts. However, this raises ethical questions of high relevance for media organizations and societies especially when genAI is used for more sensitive topics and at larger scale. To not jeopardize trustworthiness in journalistic organizations, it is important that the use of genAI in journalism is guided by moral principles. We therefore conducted 18 interviews with researchers and practitioners with expertise in AI-based technologies, journalism, and ethics from a German perspective in order to identify guidelines for the ethical use of genAI in media organizations. We derived requirements for the ethical introduction of genAI and actionable guidelines which explain how decision makers in media organizations should address ethical principles for the use of AI in the news production life cycle, in order to contribute to trustworthiness of journalistic organizations and products.

Dynamics and triggers of misinformation on vaccines.

The Covid-19 pandemic has sparked renewed attention to the risks of online misinformation, emphasizing its impact on individuals' quality of life through the spread of health-related myths and misconceptions. In this study, we analyze 6 years (2016-2021) of Italian vaccine debate across diverse social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube), encompassing all major news sources-both questionable and reliable. We first use the symbolic transfer entropy analysis of news production time-series to dynamically determine which category of sources, questionable or reliable, causally drives the agenda on vaccines. Then, leveraging deep learning models capable to accurately classify vaccine-related content based on the conveyed stance and discussed topic, respectively, we evaluate the focus on various topics by news sources promoting opposing views and compare the resulting user engagement. Our study uncovers misinformation not as a parasite of the news ecosystem that merely opposes the perspectives offered by mainstream media, but as an autonomous force capable of even overwhelming the production of vaccine-related content from the latter. While the pervasiveness of misinformation is evident in the significantly higher engagement of questionable sources compared to reliable ones (up to 11 times higher in median value), our findings underscore the need for consistent and thorough pro-vax coverage to counter this imbalance. This is especially important for sensitive topics, where the risk of misinformation spreading and potentially exacerbating negative attitudes toward vaccines is higher. While reliable sources have successfully promoted vaccine efficacy, reducing anti-vax impact, gaps in pro-vax coverage on vaccine safety led to the highest engagement with anti-vax content.

Research on the Emotional Communication Mechanism of Digital News

As emotional communication gains prominence in digital news production, scholars have increasingly re-examined its relationship with news objectivity. This study investigates how digital technology transforms emotional communication mechanisms, particularly focusing on their narrative and mobilization strategies. Through case analysis and sentiment analysis of 295 award-winning works from the China News Award, the research identifies key mechanisms: voice narratives and positive emotional rhetoric that cultivate specific atmospheres, alongside empathy, personalization, and immersive mobilization that expand audiences' "emotional imagination."On a practical level, emotional communication is reshaping digital journalism by profoundly influencing production, circulation, and audience engagement. Theoretically, it broadens the epistemological and methodological scope of digital journalism, offering guidance for the industry to evolve toward a "human emotional civilization."

Transformations of Production and Consumption Forces of News: Economic Implications for the Slovenian Newspaper Sector

This article addresses a dialectical relationship between the production and realisation of news content, linking demands for increased newspaper productivity with forces of consumption. The economic performance of newspapers is evaluated by exploring the correlation between alterations in their revenues/market expansion on one side, and changes in productivity and employment on the other. The research serves as an illustrative analysis within the context of a smaller EU country – Slovenia. The methodology employed could potentially be applied for cross-country or EU-wide comparative analyses. The examination of economic newspaper performance is juxtaposed with the entire media sector (the competitive sector) and the advertising sector (the realm of business partners). The results underscore that economically sustainable news production is achieved through decreasing employment and intensifying the exploitation of newspaper workers, an aspect that is increasing annually in Slovenia, and surpassing the decline in revenues and profit.

A Study of Audience Moral and Ethical Attitudes Toward AIGC-Generated News Content

This study investigates audience moral and ethical attitudes toward news content generated by Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC), highlighting the transformative impact of AI technologies on journalism. Through comprehensive references, the research reveals significant disparities in acceptance levels among different demographic groups, particularly influenced by factors such as algorithmic literacy, trust in information sources, and individual psychological factors. The findings indicate that younger, tech-savvy audiences exhibit greater trust in AIGC-generated content, while older demographics express skepticism regarding its accuracy and fairness. Furthermore, the paper addresses the ethical challenges posed by AIGC, including issues of misinformation, privacy concerns, and copyright ownership. The necessity for robust ethical frameworks and regulatory measures is emphasized to ensure the responsible integration of AIGC in news production, thereby safeguarding journalistic integrity and public trust. This research aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse on ethical standards in digital journalism and the implications of AI on societal values.

Analysis of Challenges and Opportunities for Journalists in the Era of Artificial Intelligence Use on News Credibility

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has significantly influenced various sectors, including journalism. AI presents opportunities such as automating routine tasks, analyzing complex data, personalizing content, and increasing efficiency in news production. However, it also introduces challenges, particularly concerning news credibility, such as algorithm bias, accuracy issues, loss of human touch, and diminished public trust in automated news. In Indonesia, the adoption of AI in journalism is still in its infancy, with limited regulatory frameworks and insufficient awareness of its implications. This research aims to identify the challenges and opportunities faced by journalists in the AI era and examine the impact of AI on news credibility. Employing an exploratory qualitative method, the research incorporates in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation studies conducted within Indonesian media organizations. The findings reveal that collaboration between AI and journalists can enhance efficiency while maintaining journalistic integrity. However, the research underscores the necessity for adaptive regulations and improved technological literacy among journalists to ensure ethical and productive AI utilization. This research contributes to understanding the interplay between technology and journalistic values, offering valuable insights for media organizations and policymakers to navigate the AI-driven future of journalism.

Between headlines and hunger: Media framing of food poverty on the island of Ireland

Food poverty has emerged as public health issues in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and Northern Ireland (NI) in the last decade. Concurrently, food poverty has emerged as a significant news story across broadcast media in both ROI and NI. While research has emerged in relation to how food poverty is framed in the media, there is a dearth of literature on this in the Irish context. This article seeks to address this gap by setting out to understand the ways in which food poverty emerges as a news story in broadcast media on the island of Ireland. Through gathering broadcast material from media archives, between November 2017 and April 2023, this article deployed analysis using Entman’s framing theory as the a priori framework. In doing so, much of the media framing tended to orientate food poverty around discursive frames relating to the working poor, the ‘deservingness’ of help through food banks or through government failure. From these findings, the article makes two central recommendations: (i) the voices of those affected by food poverty need to be centrally included in news stories when it is helpful and (ii) news production cultures need to focus on more constructive journalism approaches.

Valorizing Credibility: Trust as Paradigm and Revenue Repair in South African News Organizations 2012–2022

Several South African news organizations emerged in the 2010s determined to provide public journalism in more durable, accessible, and credible ways. Partly responding to the disruption of the news industry’s business models by platform companies, and sustained attempts to delegitimize journalism by populist political parties, these organizations articulated the case for evidence-based, verified journalism, and pioneered more transparent and multidimensional funding models. They also embraced communal copyright license regimes to ensure wider dissemination and reach for their stories and were able to reconstitute a portion of their audiences into communities of interest, committed to supporting their journalism work, sometimes through direct financial contributions. By paying more attention to these organizations’ contractual relationships with audiences, distribution partners, and philanthropic donors, we can better understand how they were able to generate more sustainable revenue streams to create both viable levels of income and greater levels of trust in their news products. This will likely remain key to the survival of public interest journalism in South Africa if laws such as Australia’s News Media Bargaining Code are inimitable in other national contexts.

Міжнародний імідж України крізь призму російської інформаційної пропаганди

Abstract. This article is devoted to the definition and analysis of the main methods of Russian information propaganda and the study of their real impact on creating a negative image of Ukraine in the international community. Analysis of the foreign press showed that the Western information space is a mixture of professional research, falsifications, propaganda, open manipulation and primitive claims. It is important to note that today there is a fairly large number of foreign publications which, while supporting the Putin regime, still consider Ukraine and Russia as inseparable objects and which almost always publish negative materials about Ukraine and its people. Such sources include some information resources of Serbia, France, Turkey, etc. Western observers can obtain more objective and truthful information from official representatives of the state, diplomats, and from influential world publications that provide high-quality analytics and expert opinions. Through the websites of organizations that provide analytical and statistical materials. Also, well-known bloggers, openly declaring their political preferences and support, can shape the opinion of some people. Among the main information methods used by Russia in the fight against Ukraine are the manipulation of history and current events, the distortion of historical facts and contemporary events, the creation of a negative identity of Ukraine in the eyes of the international public, speculation on facts, the production of fake news, etc. In general, the spread of Russian propaganda about Ukraine has a negative impact on its perception in the world. And this, in turn, can create significant obstacles to the preservation and support of Ukraine's sovereignty, as well as its international integration. To combat this phenomenon, it is important to continue to strengthen international cooperation in the field of information security and to openly highlight facts and truthful information about Ukraine. Keywords: propaganda; information space; political manipulation; falsification; negative image.

The wall between journalism and advertising in times of platformization of the news. Evidence from the Italian case

The aim of this article is to identify the changes that have occurred in the function of the “wall” separating the newsroom from the business department in the years of the digitalization of news production, up to its platformization. To do this, we will focus on the Italian case, which is particularly interesting because it is a context in which journalism is more unlikely than elsewhere to generate revenues by exploiting the potential of digital environments, such as native advertising. We will test the strategies through which four media outlets (two legacy media outlets, The Post Internazionale and Domani, and two digital-born media outlets, Will Media and Factanza) seek a balance between using native advertising and preserving their editorial independence, in a multi-sided market in which such independence concerns on the one hand advertisers and on the other hand platforms. Through a content analysis of the production of these four media outlets, and in-depth interviews with their editors and marketing and social media communication experts, we will also attempt to link the above-mentioned strategies to the ways in which the media outlets relate to the power of platforms.

توظيف تطبيقات الذكاء الاصطناعي في إنتاج الأخبار التلفزيونية: دراسة حالة على قناة الإخبارية السعودية

The study aimed to identify the most important aspects of artificial intelligence techniques in the field of television news production, monitor the mechanisms for their development, and evaluate the processes of television news production using artificial intelligence. And to reveal the obstacles and challenges facing television news production. The media survey method will be used through a survey study applied to Al-Ikhbariya channel. One of the most prominent expected results of this study is the impact of artificial intelligence applications on the process of television news production from collecting, editing, directing and presenting television news. The study belongs to descriptive studies, and relies on the survey method. The questionnaire tool was used as a tool for collecting data, by applying it to a sample of employees of the Saudi Al-Ikhbariya channel consisting of (65) individuals. The study reached a set of results, the most prominent of which are: The study sample respondents believe that (artificial intelligence applications supporting news gathering) came at the forefront of artificial intelligence applications used in producing television news, with a percentage of (38.9%). In second place came (artificial intelligence applications for editing news), with a percentage of (36.1%), while (artificial intelligence applications used in filming news) came in third and last place with a percentage of (25%). The respondents believe that the skill (programming) comes at the forefront of the skills that news workers must learn to keep pace with the development of artificial intelligence technologies, with a percentage of(53.8%) ., In second place came the skill (data analysis) with a percentage of (50.8%), followed by the skill (interaction with robots) in third and last place with a percentage of (35.4%). The proposal (developing the skills of workers in television news production) came at the forefront of the respondents’ proposals in order to achieve a balance in the use of artificial intelligence and the role of the human element. In second place came the proposal (imposing restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence applications), followed by the proposal (using specific applications of intelligence applications in news production) in third place.

The role of value references in shaping cultures of engagement: evidence from COVID-19 news on Facebook in Romania and the U.K.

Abstract Values are consequential for opinion formation and remain a persuasive factor in shaping public attitudes. Still, the role of values remains under-researched in the context of online news production and engagement. This study investigates the intricate role values play by analyzing patterns of value references in online news coverage of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in two culturally distinct nations, Romania and the U.K. Conceptually, the study is based on Schwartz’s value typology; methodologically, it relies on the Concept Mover’s Distance method. Analyzing half a million Facebook posts, the study identifies four types of value references: universal, cultural, topic-based, and situational. We show that cultural values prevalent in British posts, such as stimulation and tradition, resonate with the culturally congruent context. Universal values, however, do not guarantee a high level of engagement. The findings underscore the nuanced impact of values in shaping online news engagement.

Unveiling the Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Moroccan E-press: Exploring opportunities and Risks

The implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) into our daily lives is rapidly spreading. AI systems are now capable of handling multiple tasks, making decisions, as well as managing work that was previously the domain of skilled experts. The rapid propagation of AI has led to significant improvements across various economic sectors. More specifically, media and electronic press companies have undergone remarkable transformations because of scientific research, technological advancements, and the rise of AI. These advancements provide the capacity to upgrade the speed, quality, and precision of generated content and streamline content optimization. AI integration in media production marks a transformative era by offering unprecedented opportunities for efficiency, creativity, and audience engagement. However, this technological evolution presents novel challenges that demand thoughtful consideration, which is particularly true in media and news production. This research seeks to explore the possibility of exploiting the potential of AI for innovation, while addressing its ethical implications and related risks in the Moroccan electronic press.

Cross border solidarity in journalist protection and the American paradox

United States governments (including those of states) have a paradoxical record in facilitating press protection. The US, with its middle-eastern allies, imprisoned and killed more media workers than any other nation from 1999 to 2007 but there were few effective collaborative responses from the news industry and considerable media commentary undermining efforts toward accountability. Since then, the encouragement of violence against media, and high profile confinements of journalists, have been domesticated, bringing the struggle for media freedom home to US media as never before. But the US has simultaneously invested heavily in media protection and speech rights outside its borders, and is home to globally prominent press defenders. This chapter examines how an internal industry discourse of ‘worthy’ and ‘unworthy’ reporters and the politicization of news production has derailed cross-border solidarity and collaboration among journalists and advocacy groups in the context of this ‘American paradox’.

Percepción de los periodistas sobre sus públicos. Estudio de caso sobre periodismo local en tres ciudades de la provincia de Buenos Aires

This paper analyzes the perceptions of journalists from local Argentine media regarding their audiences, drawing on theoretical contributions from the sociology of newsrooms. It investigates the bond of proximity and the meanings constructed around the participation of audiences in news production. It concludes that journalists face difficulties in identifying the audiences they address. The aim is to contribute to the debate on strengthening local media by identifying how much they know about the audiences that could potentially fund them.

The timeliness of constructionist theory in the process of journalistic content production in the digital age

This research explores the relevance of constructionist theory in the production of journalistic content in the digital age. Constructionist theory posits that reality is socially constructed and shaped by the discursive practices of the media, gaining significance within a media landscape profoundly transformed by digitization, the proliferation of social networks, and the use of algorithms. The investigation employs a qualitative methodology, utilizing a systematic literature review of publications from 2013 to 2023, aiming to map the principal theoretical and empirical approaches that discuss the impact of new technologies and communicative practices on contemporary journalism. The findings indicate that the digital era has intensified the constructionist nature of news production, given the multiplicity of voices and agents involved in the mediation process, including an actively participating public in the creation and dissemination of content. It was further observed that digital platforms, by personalizing news consumption through algorithms, create fragmented realities and filter bubbles, challenging the notion of a shared news reality. Moreover, the emergence of misinformation and “fake news” underscores the importance of a constructionist approach to understanding how news narratives are continuously negotiated and reconstructed. It is concluded that constructionist theory remains a valid analytical framework for understanding the dynamics of journalistic production in the digital age, particularly in a context where the boundaries between news producers and consumers have become increasingly fluid.

Journalists as individual users of artificial intelligence: Examining journalists’ “value-motivated use” of ChatGPT and other AI tools within and without the newsroom

ChatGPT and other AI applications have made the widespread use of artificial intelligence possible with their conversational interfaces and open accessibility – this “mainstreaming” of AI use has become concerning for news organizations as they grapple with the creation of appropriate AI-related guidelines and tools for their newsrooms. Even while such discussions are ongoing, the cultural shift among journalists has already begun. This paper highlights the role of journalists not simply as agents working within the confines of news organizations, but as actors with individual agency to enact change. Their use of AI has already gained significant momentum, with or without newsroom oversight and direction. This paper, supported by field theory, uses in-depth interviews with journalists and editors to uncover how journalists are themselves using AI in their day-to-day work, and how they ensure their values of “good journalism” are not compromised. Results show that journalists are already personally using AI in numerous tasks across all the stages of news production, namely in news gathering, news writing and presentation, news editing, and news promotion, and have three strategies to maintain their practice of “good journalism”. These results prompt the paper’s proposition of a new “value-motivated use” perspective to summarize journalistic adoption of AI – that it is the journalistic values that motivate their increased use of AI, as well as the values that motivate their limitations of this use; journalists will use the technology only to the extent that it aligns with the values of their profession.