How regional newsrooms can use AI to protect the ‘lifeblood of local journalism’

Regional journalism experts appear optimistic generative AI can help their snowed-under newsrooms.

By João Santos for Press Gazette 

A WAN-IFRA survey has found that half of newsrooms are already deploying generative AI in some form or another.

Large language models quickly garnered the attention of Reach, Buzzfeed, Conde Nast and other publishers across the globe over the past six months for its potential to streamline editorial processes.

In particular the free-to-access ChatGPT has fast shown its potential to reinvent the way content is produced and journalism is done. But in local news outlets hard-pressed for time and staff, is the adoption of AI likely to be an opportunity or a threat?

AI vs the humans in local journalism

A number of UK regional news publishers have already realised that AI-generated news stories could free up journalists to concentrate on more meaningful reporting.

Duncan Williams, the managing director and proprietor of Pulman’s Weekly News in south east Devon, said: “AI has got huge advantages to help journalists, particularly in the regional sector, but it’s not yet at a level where it’s going to be able to write nitty-gritty stories.”

Rather, he said he believes the more in-depth stories produced by human journalists will carry increased significance. He wrote an op-ed in his newspaper last month emphasising the importance of human bylines for trust.

“As an editor, I would not dream of publishing a story by someone I did know the name of or who was not a trusted and credible human source,” he said. “Bylines not only protect my readers, but they also hold journalists accountable for their work.”

Dr Joy Jenkins, an assistant professor of Journalism at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, has worked extensively on how new technologies can be sustainably introduced into local industries.

She said: “AI can be used on more basic types of reporting in order to free up journalists to do the more investigative, in-depth types of stories they’d like to do but don’t always have the time and resources to produce.”

Eliz Mizon, a media writer and communications lead at Bristol Cable, believes AI could help local journalists carry out important “institutional accountability and community cohesion” roles, potentially reversing a trend that has seen around 300 local newspaper title closures since 2005 and left others hanging by a thread.

Will AI help or hurt regional journalist numbers?

A recurring worry that crops up in discussions of AI and news is whether the technology will end up replacing journalists, particularly in light of the economic headwinds that have encouraged many publishers to lay off staff in the past year.

Jody Doherty-Cove, Newsquest‘s special projects editor, is currently at the forefront of developing, coding and implementing AI tools for over 180 newsrooms across the UK, having just helped the Gannett-owned publisher establish its first AI reporter positions.

He explained: “A common misconception in the public discourse is the notion that AI, like some malevolent force, is poised to supplant human journalists in a ruthless bid to cut costs.

“Local journalism is a craft that requires investigation, relationship building, and nuanced understanding – elements that no machine, no matter how sophisticated, can truly replicate.”

Dr Jenkins agreed, explaining that AI should be seen as a “really affordable and helpful” tool which, if used properly, can be an “extremely effective way for local journalism to maximise its resources”.

Pulman’s owner Williams added: “It would streamline both the numbers of staff required to run our titles in an economic fashion and also the actual revenue streams that are the lifeblood of local journalism.”

This is the approach that Kallum Gethins, managing director at Dorset News and editor at View From Weymouth, has taken when incorporating AI into the running of both publications.

“If we find a story, we gather the facts, make a short sentence and then bring that into the AI software which produces a three to four-paragraph article, we proofread it and publish it,” he said. “The whole process takes about ten minutes.”

Much like the advent of social media and citizen journalism, AI could therefore lower the barrier of entry into the industry, making quality and consistency more affordable.

Gethins said: “I think that all organisations should implement AI because it could help their business massively, especially if the organisation is brand new and can’t afford journalists. For instance, we probably won’t be using AI-originated content in the long term and will look for potential journalists to join our franchise.”

The challenges ahead for AI in local journalism

As automation seeps into the media industry, the utility of AI in local journalism could be as far-reaching as the industry demands.

As well as editorial tasks, Dorset News’ Gethins has begun using different AI software engines for administrative work, for example producing email templates suited to potential investors and creating budget plans.

Automation could magnify the results of advertising campaigns and help integrate local papers more fully into social media, something which, Dr Jenkins explained, has been a historical struggle for many publications.

However there are considerable challenges to overcome before AI can be fully integrated into journalism in a way that is both ethical and practical.

Doherty-Cove said: “We must ensure that AI-generated content does not escape the watchful eyes of human editors who, with human oversight and rigorous fact-checking, can ensure AI-generated content meets their exacting requirements.”

Chatbots such as ChatGPT rely on what the user feeds into it, as the data on which they were trained is in some cases out-of-date. This means the fundamental newsgathering framework which leads to a fully-fledged story is, for the moment, outside the purview of generative AI programmes.

But as Dr David Ryfe, a professor and director at the School of Journalism and Media at the University of Texas at Austin, put it: “Clay Shirky wrote over a decade ago that it is much faster to lose something than to build something else to stand in its place. That is what is happening to local journalism.”

Source: https://pressgazette.co.uk/publishers/regional-newspapers/how-regional-newsrooms-can-use-ai-to-protect-the-lifeblood-of-local-journalism/

HUMAN BYLINES NOW MATTER MORE THAN EVER TO HELP SAFEGUARD JOURNALISM - 📰🗞️ 🤖

Report from the Editor's Desk by Duncan Williams 

In the evolving world of modern journalism, where artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms are gaining prominence, it is crucial to remember the irreplaceable value of the human touch. In an era where information spreads rapidly, it is more important than ever for those of us who are journalists to provide a byline for our written content. By acknowledging the human source behind the news, we can protect and uphold trust, integrity, and the indispensable role of professional journalism.

This is no longer just an ego driven need to see one's own name in print, it is now a necessity for safeguarding the core value of our once highly respected profession. A human author signing off their work could soon be akin to a hallmark embedded on a gold bar. Is it real or is it alloyed with AI? If you wrote it, believe in it, then please do say so. Sign your own byline!

Artificial intelligence has undoubtedly transformed the field of journalism. Automated news algorithms can generate stories at an unprecedented speed, sifting through vast amounts of data to create news pieces within seconds. This technological advancement offers efficiency and convenience, but it also presents challenges that cannot be ignored by any responsible news publisher.

While AI algorithms excel at processing data, they lack the essential human judgment and discernment required to verify sources, analyse context, and interpret complex events accurately. Good journalists, on the other hand, should bring with themselves unique critical thinking, experience, and a code of ethics, allowing us to investigate, validate, and present information in a responsible manner.

Bylines serve as a symbolic representation of accountability, giving credit and recognition to the journalists responsible for their work. When readers see a byline, they know that a human being with expertise and integrity has vetted the information. The byline acts as a beacon of trust, signalling that the story has undergone rigorous checks and balances to ensure its accuracy, fairness, and impartiality.

In an age where fake news and misinformation proliferate, bylines provide a necessary defence against manipulation and deception. Knowing the identity of the journalist behind a piece of news allows readers to establish a connection and gauge the credibility of the source. It encourages responsible reporting and discourages the spread of disinformation that can erode trust in media institutions.

As an editor, I would not dream of publishing a story by someone I did know the name of or who was not a trusted and credible human source. Bylines not only protect my readers, but they also hold journalists accountable for their work. 

All of the excellent journalists I work with today are bound by their professional reputation, and a byline serves as a public acknowledgment of their commitment to accuracy and integrity. This recognition can motivate journalists to adhere to rigorous ethical standards and provide accurate, well-researched content.

Bylines can also play a crucial role in promoting diversity and recognising expertise within the field of journalism. When journalists are attributed for their work, it allows readers to identify patterns, perspectives, and biases that may influence reporting. Bylines encourage the inclusion of diverse voices, ensuring a broader range of experiences and opinions are represented in news coverage.

During my early career, I researched many lurid tabloid scoops and learned very quickly how important it was, at the death, to get a story to stand up. Later, working within the somewhat different world of Christian media publishing, occasionally interviewing influential people about their religious views, I was required to give even greater attention to detail and accuracy. Yes, the devil is indeed in the detail. I would religiously check and double check those quotes and comments. Quotes cannot be conjured up by a computer.

Today, in a welcome return to secular news reporting, busy working as an editor in the UK regional press, I still believe in the importance of standing up and being seen, being transparent, and not hiding behind an anonymous byline. 

Yes, I am a human being. I make mistakes but I want to write, edit and publish news that means something real, that really connects with other human beings. My readers aren't robots. They don't deserve to be given data written by robots. Even less opinions written by them.

As AI technology continues to rapidly reshape the landscape of journalism, the importance of this human element must not be forgotten. 

Bylines are not mere signatures; they are a testament to the trust, integrity, and accountability of the journalism profession. They remind us that human journalists and editors, like myself, must play an indispensable role in verifying sources, critically analysing information, and providing accurate and reliable news. In this brave new world of artificial intelligence that we find ourselves living in, let us embrace the power of bylines and preserve the essential values that uphold trust, responsibility and integrity in modern journalism.