Journalism faces a crisis with declining ad revenue, loss of jobs, and news avoidance due to mental health concerns. The impact of social media on news consumption, challenges of citizen crime reporting, and the rise of AI in journalism are discussed. The podcast explores market differences between US and Europe, innovations in digital journalism, and the future of AI in news reporting.
Journalism faces financial crisis due to ad revenue decline and subscription challenges.
AI presents opportunities and challenges in journalism, aiming for a balance with human reporting.
Social media platforms alter news consumption habits towards video content, posing challenges for traditional news outlets.
Deep dives
The Changing Landscape of Journalism in the US
Major newspapers like The Los Angeles Times and Sports Illustrated facing financial losses, layoffs, and closures; revenue from ads decreasing; challenges in getting people to subscribe; older funding models in crisis; increasing number of people turning away from news due to negative impact on mood.
Challenges and Innovations in Online Journalism
The Online News Association discussing the transitional phase and innovation in digital journalism like exploring the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on news reporting; opportunities to leverage AI for improved reporting and storytelling; optimism for finding a balance between AI technology and human reporting for more sustainable newsrooms.
Impact of Social Media on News Consumption
Social media platforms changing news consumption patterns; emphasis shifting towards short-form video content and personalized content; platforms deprioritizing news content resulting in decreased news exposure; challenges for traditional news outlets to adapt to changing platforms and audience preferences.
Redefining Journalism Ethics and Ownership
Calls for increased regulation in media industry to extract funds from platforms for sustainable news funding; focus on developing own AI tools and models for journalism; importance of maintaining ethical standards and journalist integrity in the era of AI domination.
Future of Journalism and News Avoidance
Discussion on the role of AI tools in news gathering, summarizing complex documents, and delivering news content; optimism for AI leveling the playing field for smaller newsrooms; concerns about potential AI influence on journalistic values and job security; hope for sustainable business models and budding journalists in the evolving news landscape.
Over the past year thousands of journalists have lost their jobs as mass media news organisations struggle to make ends meet. Ad revenue is down, many publishers are struggling to gain subscribers, and social media has resulted in plummeting traffic to homepages. More than a third of people worldwide say they sometimes or often actively avoid the news, many citing their mental health and concerns that they can’t do anything about the problems reported. Meanwhile advancements in artificial intelligence promise rapid changes to the way journalism is done. So, what’s the future of journalism?
Shaun Ley is joined by:
Emily Bell, director of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia Journalism School
Benjamin Toff, assistant professor of journalism at the University of Minnesota, a research associate at the Reuters Institute and co-author of the book: ‘Avoiding the News: Reluctant Audiences for Journalism’
LaSharah S. Bunting, CEO and executive director of the Online News Association
Produced by Max Horberry and Paul Schuster
(Photo: Getty)
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