The study investigated perpetuation of false narratives and political manipulation through fake news, misinformation, disinformation and computational propaganda in digital ecosystem of Pakistan in 2025. The study critically reviewed role of automation, online algorithms and coordinated human networks curtailing cyber security in political spheres. The viral political news stories of social media have been selected for content analysis employing purposive sampling technique. Exerting theoretical foundations from Framing theory and Propaganda model the study analyzed the key propaganda techniques, frames, patterns and major themes employed for shaping political discourses of Pakistani public. The findings suggested that fake AI driven technologies such as online algorithms, computational propaganda techniques, automation and intensify political polarization and serve as tool for production, consumption and dissemination of fake news and false narratives targeted to frame false narratives through manipulative propaganda techniques of political issues and news stories. The study highlighted urgent need to develop AI powered cyber security frameworks for detection of fake news and control information bias in order to enhance credibility and trustworthiness in digital spaces.

ABSTRACT This research investigates the news production processes and decision-making of Pakistani journalists when covering traumatic events, such as violent incidents, crimes, and terrorism. It employs a qualitative approach, conducting in-depth interviews with 50 journalists, including Directors, Reporters, Editors, NLEs, Cameramen, and Photographers from print, broadcast, and online media outlets across Pakistan. Participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The data were analyzed through the lens of the Hierarchy of Influences Model (HOI), an extension of Gatekeeping Theory, to examine how routine-level factors influence journalistic decision-making during the coverage of traumatic events. The findings show that newsroom culture, including the influence of news editors, the pressure of “breaking news,” deadlines, and the dynamics of peer interaction, significantly shapes journalists’ choices regarding news selection and presentation. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges and pressures journalists face when covering traumatic events in Pakistan.

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, has triggered profound transformations within the global journalism industry, fundamentally challenging traditional news production models, professional norms, and educational paradigms. This comprehensive study examines the multidimensional impact of AI technologies on contemporary journalism through theoretical analysis, industry observation, and educational case studies. The paper first explores the emergence of "Journalistic Taylorism]"(Hindy Lauer Schachter,2020). A phenomenon characterized by the standardization of news production processes through algorithmic intervention, resulting in journalist deskilling and professional alienation. It then analyzes how news organizations are navigating the tension between platform dependency and professional autonomy, creating what scholars term "functional infotainment" on social media platforms. The educational dimension receives particular attention, with examination of innovative "three-stage" training models that balance foundational skills with AI literacy development. By synthesizing international research perspectives with empirical data from China's growing digital publishing sector (which reached ¥1.7485 trillion in revenue in 2024), this paper proposes a holistic framework for understanding journalism's evolution in the AI era. The findings suggest that successful adaptation requires neither wholesale rejection nor uncritical embrace of technology, but rather the cultivation of journalists who possess both critical thinking capabilities and technological fluency – professionals capable of leveraging AI's efficiencies while preserving journalism's essential democratic functions. The study concludes with recommendations for institutional, educational, and ethical reforms that might enable journalism to maintain its public service mission amidst technological disruption.

In an era of rapid digital transformation, the media landscape is undergoing profound changes. This research explores how slow journalism is being positioned as a possible response to challenges such as misinformation and the increasing automation of news content. It analyzes the role of journalists in embracing this approach, which emphasizes in-depth reporting and authentic storytelling, as a means of offering depth and reflection amid the pressures of accelerated digital news production. Through qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews with 40 media professionals and experts from Ibero-America and Spain, the study also examines how slow journalism is incorporated into digital strategies to restore media credibility and foster deeper audience trust as a counterbalance to speed-driven news cycles. The findings suggest that slow journalism is perceived as a deliberate response to the erosion of journalistic standards, offering depth, verification, and narrative quality as distinguishing features. Journalists recognized both its benefits and limitations: while it can counter misinformation and encourage critical analysis, its implementation is constrained by economic pressures and audience demand for immediacy. Rather than positioning it as a universal or prescriptive solution, the study situates slow journalism within broader strategies to strengthen credibility, uphold ethical standards, and sustain the democratic role of journalism in digitally accelerated environments shaped by cultural, economic, and technological complexities.

ABSTRACT Journalism studies scholars are increasingly focused on understanding news audiences. While this “audience turn” within journalism studies has led scholars to address an important gap within the field, the resulting scholarship tends to focus on narrow segments of the overall news audience. This article synthesizes existing news audience research to argue that it reveals two parallel – and seemingly contradictory – ways that journalism studies scholars imagine the news audience. The first conceptualizes news audiences as allies of news production, presenting them as genuinely interested in good-faith engagement with the journalistic process. The second conceptualizes news audiences as antagonists, presenting them as easily enraged and quick to lash out at journalists attempting to interact with them. We conclude that, while both versions of the audience exist, they each likely comprise a small portion of the overall public. Between these extremes exists the apathetic audience – a large segment of the actual news audience that does not care enough about journalism to meaningfully engage with or actively undermine it.

This article reports on a community service program conducted by FKIP Universitas Tanjungpura in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Malaysia, aimed at enhancing professional English competency and AI literacy among journalists at Pontianak Post. The program integrated comprehensive English communication training with artificial intelligence tool applications, including ChatGPT, Google AI Studio, Elicit, Consensus, Humata, Otter AI, and Canva AI. A post-training survey was administered to 20 participating journalists using a Likert-scale instrument supplemented by open-ended questions. Results indicate overwhelmingly positive outcomes, with overall satisfaction reaching 4.80 out of 5.00. The highest-rated aspects included the international collaboration value (4.85), AI-enhanced learning effectiveness (4.80), and participants' intention to continue using AI tools in their professional practice (4.80). Qualitative feedback revealed that journalists experienced significant improvements in their confidence to communicate in English, enhanced efficiency in news production through AI integration, and increased awareness of ethical considerations in technology-assisted journalism. The findings demonstrate that combining language competency training with digital literacy creates a synergistic effect that prepares journalists for the evolving demands of contemporary media practice.

In the current environment of information disruptions and rising social media popularity, the abundance of information enables a shift of attention to news presentation and sparking viewer interest. The selection of news is associated with their presentation, whereas emphasis is placed on such news that is ‘in high demand. Journalists play a key role in this, as seemingly more and more journalists are aiming to stand out by means of emotional reconstruction of the news. By selecting and giving priority to certain news, journalists decide which information is real and relevant. Therefore, in the most general sense, they are constantly evaluating news. In today’s post-truth era, public opinion is more influenced by emotional appeals than by objective facts. Therefore, it is importance to understand how journalists themselves define the roles they create in the news production process. Ultimately, this will help to understand the challenges that the emotional content they produce poses in the context of striving for a resilient democratic society, especially considering the various forms of disinformation and the public space polarization.

Children's detection of online misinformation.

This study examines the evolution and implementation of transmedia journalism within the Indonesian news media landscape, focusing specifically on Metro TV, Indonesia’s first news television station. As journalism globally adapts to rapid technological advancements and shifting audience behaviors, transmedia storytelling has emerged as a critical strategy for integrating multiple digital platforms to create cohesive, immersive news narratives. Metro TV’s adoption of a transmedia news model reflects broader trends in media convergence and audience engagement, leveraging social media alongside traditional broadcast to enhance reach and interactivity. Despite its potential, the transition to transmedia journalism presents challenges including technological constraints, audience fragmentation, and the need for coordinated cross-platform content production. Through qualitative methods, including semi- structured interviews with key personnel in Metro TV’s news production and social media divisions, this research explores the newsroom’s strategies, workflows, and the practical realities of implementing transmedia practices. The findings highlight the dynamic interplay between traditional journalistic values and innovative digital storytelling techniques, underscoring the importance of adaptability and digital skill acquisition among journalists. This study contributes to the understanding of how legacy media organizations in emerging markets navigate the complexities of digital transformation, offering insights into the opportunities and obstacles inherent in transmedia journalism’s evolution.

Source selection is a fundamental practice in journalism, and in the digital era, social media has become an integral part of this process. This study explores how journalists navigate source selection on Facebook within the broader context of platformization. To gain deeper insight into this phenomenon, the study employed semi-structured interviews with 24 journalists, followed by an inductive thematic analysis. The findings reveal that journalists seek to balance the benefits of social media with professional standards, particularly accuracy. Their selection process is influenced by both objective criteria, topic relevance and information verification, and subjective considerations including perceived source credibility and the impact of digital algorithms. These dynamics create tensions, especially as journalists working in online and hybrid environments exhibit early signs of platform-driven logic in their practices. For instance, they may consider a source’s follower count as a selection criterion, aiming to translate that visibility into audience engagement. This trend suggests that platformization influences journalistic work from the earliest stages of news production, potentially reshaping how information is curated and validated. Platformization is central to today’s journalism because it reshapes professional autonomy and challenges traditional standards of credibility and accuracy.

The tapestry of Philippine journalism is woven with the vibrant threads of regional narratives, each contributing to the broader national agenda. Central Visayas emerges as a focal point, boasting a dynamic landscape populated by over 200 reporters across diverse platforms. Yet, as the industry marches forward, propelled by technological advancements, the integration of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) into news production processes has become increasingly prevalent on a global scale. This study seeks to understand the readiness of Central Visayas reporters to embrace GAI, probing their understanding and use of this transformative technology. Guided by both the Diffusion of Innovation and the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, its framework was used to uncover the intricate factors that influence their future adoption of GAI. Employing a mixed-method, exploratory approach, the study traverses the region's four provinces, conducting surveys and in-depth interviews with media practitioners and news managers. Through this multifaceted exploration, it seeks not only to illuminate current practices but also to chart a course for future policy development within community press newsrooms. By delving into reporters’ knowledge, perceptions, and utilization behaviors regarding GAI, it charts the pathways for its seamless integration into the journalistic workflow. Beyond mere examination, the findings serve as a guide for newsrooms as the industry moves towards enhanced practices and informed decision-making. It is also a point of consideration for journalism schools as they also seek to upgrade their teaching methods. Furthermore, this study serves as a testament to the evolving nature of journalism in the digital age, where adaptability and innovation are paramount. It also shows factors affecting Central Visayas reporters' low knowledge and understanding of new technologies as they try to embark on this journey of exploration and adaptation. These become invaluable assets in shaping the future trajectory of Philippine journalism.

In several countries across Southeast Asia, news start-ups like Macaranga and The Fourth in Malaysia, FYT Media in the Philippines, Kontinentalist in Singapore, and Mekong Eye covering Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam produce news products that not many traditional news outlets in their respective countries provide. To earn a competitive advantage in an industry upended by the digital shift and changing audience behaviors, these media outlets use and develop ‘valuable’ and ‘rare’ resources to fill in the gaps left by legacy media. However, despite being able to carve their own niche, sustainability that is hinged on diversified and adaptive revenue streams remains an elusive goal for many of these news ventures. This research, based on in-depth interviews with founders and newsroom leaders and secondary documentary research, explores what sustainable funding means for these newsrooms vis-à-vis their positionality in often restricted political contexts. The article concludes with further insights on building an independent and resilient media in Asia.

The increasing use of AI for automating visual representation raises concerns about issues such as deepfakes and challenges the long-standing belief of photography as a powerful tool for witnessing and documenting. This study explores the use of AI-generated images and videos by Chinese visual journalists, examining how they are reshaping visual journalism by transforming journalistic claims of visual truth, work routines, and journalistic autonomy, particularly in relation to human–machine agency. We argue that journalists’ conceptions of visual truth reflect different understandings of “mechanical objectivity,” combining both objective recording and subjective rendering. The growing emphasis on the human and subjective aspects of news production serves as a discursive strategy to navigate AI-related anxieties, the rise of machine agency, and the decline in work meaningfulness. These shifts also reveal the power dynamics of AI-driven news production both within and outside the newsroom, as a top-down AI strategy is closely tied to government support and external platform companies. This article contributes to the current scholarship on AI and journalism by showing how journalistic agency is disrupted and negotiated through perceptions, routines, and power struggles in an increasingly automated news industry.

As Large Language Models (LLMs) become increasingly embedded in news production, their tendency to generate hallucinated contentfabricated or misleading information presented as factraises serious legal concerns. This paper examines the implications of such content through the lens of both copyright and personality rights, focusing on civil defamation, privacy infringement, and unauthorized reproduction of third-party materials. Using a comparative doctrinal methodology, it analyzes regulatory and tort law frameworks in China and the United States, with particular attention to the heightened standards for public figure defamation in U.S. law and the broader scope of reputational protection under Chinese civil law. By bridging the intersection of copyright and personality rights, this study offers a novel perspective on the legal classification and liability of AI-generated news. It further proposes actionable compliance strategies for media organizations and generative AI providers, including content review mechanisms and attribution standards. Finally, the paper reflects on future governance trendsespecially the tension between innovation and accountabilityas jurisdictions worldwide grapple with the social and legal consequences of hallucinated media content.

Abstract: The digital transformation of journalism has fundamentally reshaped the production, distribution, and consumption of news. This paper investigates the shift from traditional editorial gatekeeping to algorithmic curation, analysing how credibility and ethics are being redefined in an era dominated by platform algorithms, user-generated content, and real-time engagement metrics. Drawing on secondary literature and primary research conducted among journalism students and media professionals, the study explores the implications of algorithmic bias, the proliferation of misinformation, and the erosion of editorial standards that once upheld journalistic integrity. While algorithms enhance personalization and reach, they often prioritize virality over veracity, fostering echo chambers and filter bubbles. This shift challenges conventional notions of credibility, as audiences increasingly rely on social media platforms and influencers rather than institutional news sources. The research reveals a growing tension between speed and accuracy in digital newsrooms, driven by the competitive attention of the economy. Although digital tools help participatory journalism and democratized storytelling, they also demand a rethinking of ethical frameworks. The paper advocates strong media literacy initiatives, algorithmic transparency, and renewed editorial accountability to restore public trust in journalism. It concludes that journalism education must evolve to equip future journalists with critical skills to navigate and challenge algorithmic systems, while upholding the core values of truth, fairness, and responsibility. By reimagining credibility and ethics in the context of digital journalism, this study contributes to ongoing debates about the role of technology in shaping public discourse and democratic engagement..

Mojok.co is one of Indonesia’s online media outlets that covered the 2024 General Election with a distinctive use of satire in its reporting. The application of satire as a linguistic and rhetorical strategy remains uncommon among Indonesian news organizations. This study explores how Mojok.co employs satire as a news reporting strategy, focusing on its implementation, challenges, and underlying rationale. Guided by Nunuk Parwati’s (2020) framework of news strategy. This research adopts a qualitative case study approach involving observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation of Mojok.co’s editorial practices. Three key informants and one supporting informant participated in the study. The analysis centers on three main dimensions: issue selection, news writing, and news presentation. The findings reveal that Mojok.co implements a threefold strategy: (1) selecting socially relevant and trending issues and framing them from distinctive perspectives; (2) employing a balanced, non-aggressive satirical tone in its writing and headlines; and (3) enhancing media branding through consistent satirical language and visually engaging presentation. To address ethical and editorial challenges, Mojok.co applies a strict article curation process, particularly in its Terminal and Political Desk sections. The study concludes that Mojok.co’s use of satire functions not only as a stylistic choice but also as a deliberate strategic communication tool that strengthens its brand identity and differentiates it from other Indonesian online media. This research contributes to the limited scholarship on satire in Indonesian journalism by situating it within the context of strategic news production and media branding.

This research focuses on the effect of artificial intelligence technologies on the editing and communication of news photographs, exploring the automation of visual journalism workflows in contemporary newsrooms. Investigating the use of automated image enhancement, content-aware editing, intelligent cropping, and quality assessment via deep learning reveals significant efficiency gains of 45-60% in speed relative to processing editorial benchmarks. The study shows that tailored AI distribution models employing personalized recommendation systems, cross-platform adaptation, and audience analytics for predictive modelling have changed paradigms of engagement with media content, attaining viral probability assessment of 0.73 AUC and cross-platform consistency metrics of 0.92. Solving critical problems of misinformation juxtaposed with efficient archival system management, AI-powered advanced computer vision real-time authenticity verification and automated metadata generation tackle essential challenges. The results suggest that operational automation of processes shifts the boundaries of photojournalistic practice to new levels, invoking complex considerations about authorship, creative agency, identity, and the role of the professional in automated systems. The integration of algorithmic machine learning tools into conventional news editing workflows forms advanced human-AI collaborative systems that preserve ethical journalism while maintaining technical efficiency. This indicates a fundamental change towards algorithm-based mediation in the production of video news, although stubborn issues of bias circumvention, ethical transparency, and documentary fidelity in the age of pervasive synthetic media remain.

News organizations face mounting challenges in the social media era. This study, informed by the Normalization Process Theory, examines how social media metrics are embedded into the news production routines across Greater China, mapping journalists’ coherence (making sense of), cognitive participation (engaging with), collective action (adapting workflows for), and reflexive monitoring (evaluating) of traffic-driven practices. Semi-structured interviews with 19 news professionals reveal that while reporters uphold traditional standards like fairness and balance, they actively normalize social media affordances by innovating formats and content structures to align platform demands with institutional constraints. Key strategies include focusing on apolitical stories in order to align with official propaganda or avoid potential backlash, repackaging news with clickbait elements, and adopting shorter, interactive layouts specifically tailored for digital platforms. These practices enable pragmatic survival but also risk account shutdowns, revealing ongoing normalization struggles as technology and journalism negotiate their divergent logics.

ABSTRACT Female artificial intelligence (AI) synthetic news presenters are increasingly being utilized in Chinese newsrooms. This article explores how the bodily construction of these AI presenters intersects with gender, ideology, and institutional authority on news programs. By examining specialized media coverages (n = 38) featuring female AI news presenters from various Chinese news agencies, the study demonstrates how these presenters are biometrically modeled on human prototypes, standardized to reflect professional performance norms, and positioned as efficient alternatives to compete with human female presenters. Furthermore, our findings revealed that female AI presenters not only symbolize technological advancements but also reinforce traditional gender roles and expectations, while simultaneously objectifying and instrumentalizing female bodies in newsrooms by framing them as programmable, customizable, and controllable entities. Thus, this paper argues that female AI presenters embody a constrained form of digitalized embodiment, reflecting manipulative professional practices and identity construction. Therefore, we raise critical concerns about the precarity of gendered labor within the evolving contexts of automated news production.

ABSTRACT Local journalism faces unique challenges, lacking the resources available to larger national or global outlets. At the local level, media professionals navigate daily news routines with limited resources, and often struggle to support investigative projects while addressing community expectations. These difficulties arise from several factors, including limited funding, staffing shortages, and a shift towards a community-oriented role. This study explores how Slovenian local journalists and editors balance their watchdog role with community expectations of being “good neighbours”, while examining the internal and external challenges shaping local investigative journalism. Through a mixed-methods approach, the findings revealed that time constraints, production pressures and limited newsroom resources often prevent sustained investigative efforts, with existing investigative practices redirected frequently towards routine news production. Journalists prioritise community-relevant topics, such as the local economy, education, healthcare and politics, over critical reporting, reflecting audience expectations. As a consequence of these factors, a hybrid professional identity has emerged, integrating watchdog ideals with community service. Despite these challenges, Slovenian local journalists maintain a strong commitment to professional autonomy and ethical standards while navigating complex professional and community demands, and they view their local media as a vital component of their communities.