January 14, 2024

Journalism needs better representation to counter AI

Thinktanker Summary

Journalism is currently facing significant challenges related to staff layoffs and the rise of artificial intelligence. As automation increases, the representation of diverse voices is at risk, impacting the quality and integrity of reporting, per commentary from Brookings.

Journalism is currently facing significant challenges related to staff layoffs and the rise of artificial intelligence. As automation increases, the representation of diverse voices is at risk, impacting the quality and integrity of reporting, per commentary from Brookings.

The issue:  

The journalism industry is grappling with substantial job cuts, as over 500 media professionals were laid off in January 2024 alone, mainly affecting journalists of color, who represented 42% of those laid off despite being only 17% of the workforce. This trend raises concerns about the future of journalistic integrity and the diversity of perspectives in news reporting.

What they recommend:  

Experts recommend that the integration of AI in newsrooms should be done thoughtfully, prioritizing support for journalists of color who provide valuable insights. Furthermore, they stress the need for equitable hiring practices to ensure diverse voices are included in the journalism field.

Go deeper:  

Diverse voices are crucial in combating the biases inherent in AI systems, which often reflect underrepresented groups in their training data. Historical partnerships, like that between Google and The Afro newspaper, highlight the importance of fair compensation and attribution. By employing more diverse journalists, newsrooms can enrich storytelling and help counteract the adverse effects of AI-driven narratives.

This is a brief overview of a commentary from Brookings. For complete insights, we recommend reading the full commentary.

THINK TANK PROFILE

Washington DC
Founded 1916
An influential Washington-based think tank focusing on global security, defense, and economic policy.
Leans Left
View
Create your own think tank.
Get the insights shaping policy and power every week.
Join us on Substack + Linkedin.

Related

Center for Strategic International Studies

President Trump’s latest tariff plan is under fire from a conservative think tank, which says the math behind it is both flawed and misleading.

  • Donald Trump focused on separating himself from his party's extreme policies and addressing key voter concerns like the economy and abortion.

The presidential debate accomplished more for Harris than it did for Trump

Commentary
Leans Left
RAND Corporation

AEI experts explore the potential political impact of President Biden's support for Israel on his electoral prospects in Michigan, particularly among Muslim and Arab American voters.

The shift in Arab American support away from Biden in Michigan is important, but it is unlikely to be the sole deciding factor in Michigan's electoral outcome.

Will Support for Israel Cost Biden Michigan?

Commentary
Conservative
Cato Institute

Cato Institute expert Robert A. Levy writes that U.S. SupremeCourt Chief Justice Roberts will be "concerned about political repercussions" if Trump is disqualified from running.

Levy also argues that liberal justices will likely lean toward allowing voting citizens to decide if Trump should be President.

Trump’s Disqualification: A Primer

Video
Libertarian
See Latest