
The introduction of AI in news media is a step forward with the potential to transform journalism. The "Digital News Report 2024" by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism discusses numerous examples of AI use in media worldwide. For instance:
- Nordic publisher Schibsted uses AI to generate "highlights" at the beginning of many articles to boost reader engagement;
- in Germany, publisher Axel Springer implemented AI to write over 5% of published articles, using an AI robot called Klara Indernach. Additionally, tools like Midjourney and OpenAI`s DALL-E are used to automate graphic illustration creation;
- in Mexico, Radio Fórmula took it a step further, introducing AI-generated news presenters like Nat, who delivers news on the website and social media.
These are just a few examples of how AI is beginning to play an increasingly important role in journalism.
Data and Audience Reactions
However, the introduction of AI in media is not without controversy. According to the report, most audiences are uncomfortable with the idea of AI creating news content, especially in cases where AI is the primary author with minimal human oversight.
- Only 36% of respondents in the USA and 33% in Europe said they felt comfortable with AI being used to assist journalists,
- while only 19% and 15% in the USA and Europe, respectively, would feel comfortable if AI created content with minimal human input.
There is also a notable difference in reactions to different types of AI-generated content. Audiences are more open to using AI to create fact- and number-based content, such as sports scores or election reports, but are much more skeptical about AI generating political or crime-related content, where human understanding and sensitivity are required.
Issues of Trust and Ethics
The report also highlights that trust in media may suffer due to the introduction of AI. Concerns exist that AI could generate biased, inaccurate, or even false information, exacerbating the misinformation problem.
- 27% of TikTok users had difficulty distinguishing real content from fake. Many of these issues were associated with AI-generated content, which can be harder to verify due to its realistic nature;
- in Indonesia, the use of AI to create news met with mixed reactions. Although AI is used to automate simple reports, many respondents expressed concerns that content might be biased or inaccurate, undermining trust in media as a whole;
- in Germany, the use of AI in media faced criticism when some AI-generated articles contained factual errors, leading to a public debate about the need for greater control and transparency in using such technologies.
It's NOT king anymore. Study about video in social media 👇
In surveys, many respondents stated they would prefer all AI-generated content to be clearly labeled so they could consciously choose whether to engage with it.
The Future of AI in Journalism
However, as the report data shows, there is a need for a cautious approach that considers audience trust and ethical concerns. Media adopting AI must be aware of the risks and approach transparency and content quality responsibly to maintain audience trust.
The introduction of AI in journalism, while offering many benefits, such as automation and content personalization, is also a challenge that requires responsibility and precise control to uphold fundamental journalistic values.
The full Digital News Report 2024 can be downloaded for free from:
https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news-report/2024
COMMERCIAL BREAK
New articles in section Media industry
The most valuable female personal brands in Polish fashion. IMM report
KFi
The ten most popular people in Poland in the "fashion" category generate over 1.5 billion contacts across all types of media in a year. Their value is nearly 400 million zlotys. The ranking was prepared by the Institute of Media Monitoring for "Forbes Women" magazine.
Disinformation ranks above terrorism as global threat
KFi
According to "International Opinion on Global Threats" by Pew Research Center, a median of 72% of adults across 25 countries view the spread of false information online as a major threat to their country. That number places disinformation at the very top of perceived global dangers.
Television 2025. Report by the European Broadcasting Union
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Europeans are watching less and less television. In 2024, the average viewing time was 3 hours and 13 minutes per day. Only 54% of young people had any contact with TV, and public broadcasters held a 23% share. Television is losing relevance, especially among the youngest viewers.
See articles on a similar topic:
Pseudo-democracy and Media - A Few Reflections
Grzegorz D. Stunża
Every four years, citizens are served elections, which are certainly not free. Polls replace part of the electoral process, shaping opinions and voting preferences.
Automation of Disinformation. Global Risks Report 2025 and Media
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Disinformation and information manipulation have ranked first among global threats in both the two-year and ten-year perspectives. A particularly concerning factor is that social media algorithms often favor controversial or shocking content, further fueling disinformation.
Media in Poland 2022. How Poles Watch, Listen, Read, and Surf the Web
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Nearly two million Poles have access to a TV but do not watch television. For radio, the analogous group amounts to 8% of radio owners. Two-thirds of Poles reach for printed press, even occasionally, while the number of mobile internet users exceeds desktop users by nearly three million.
How do we assess news credibility? Data analysis from 40 countries
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Are people defenseless against false information? Do they really fall for clickbait and fake news? A meta-analysis of 67 studies involving 200,000 people shows the problem is different than we thought. Instead of excessive gullibility, we are dealing with the opposite.