Why AI should be taught in Journalism

When advancements in information and technology gave birth to the internet and new platforms, the entire journalism profession shifted. Countless newspapers and mainstream media across the world adopted these trends, which forced and brought about the introduction of many online journalism programs in universities and schools of journalism. This was aimed at equipping students with […]

When advancements in information and technology gave birth to the internet and new platforms, the entire journalism profession shifted. Countless newspapers and mainstream media across the world adopted these trends, which forced and brought about the introduction of many online journalism programs in universities and schools of journalism. This was aimed at equipping students with basic knowledge on how to use and manage online media properly while maintaining the core ethics and principles of the journalism profession in the online space.

And now, with the current technology being Artificial Intelligence (AI), most media organisations, both online and mainstream, have begun to use this technology for their reportage. But the question is: do all journalists in mainstream media have the necessary skills to apply this technology in the journalism profession? At what stage or when, why, and where do we need to apply this technology in reports? For instance, should we use AI to create pictures for advertisements, gatherings, or events? If yes, what about our principles of accuracy and objectivity?

If the answer is that AI is here to stay in our profession, how can we use it and still maintain the code of ethics in journalism? These questions need to be properly answered before adopting AI. Researchers in journalism need to adopt the teaching of AI in all universities, polytechnics, and journalism training schools.

I have read many write-ups written by Professor Farooq Kperogi, fighting, pushing, and informing the public about the dangers and hazards of AI in journalism and academia in general. Professor Kperogi has explored many dangers of misusing AI, and many examples have been shown in his columns, which one can’t deny or overlook.

Furthermore, it’s paramount to integrate AI teachings in schools of journalism and in the training of newsroom reporters and editors. Otherwise, the highly respected profession will suffer in reputation in the public eye. Below are some of the benefits, reasons and cases that highlight the urgent need for AI to be taught as a course in schools of journalism, and special training for reporters and editors to understand how to utilise it effectively in journalism while maintaining the journalism code of conduct.

Lack of literacy and misunderstanding of AI: Many journalists and other media practitioners are neither knowledgeable enough to use nor fully aware of the aim of AI ethical and responsible use of AI in journalism. For example, The Guardian newspaper in America reported that one of its reporters was caught using AI to write news stories. The newspaper further explained that some reports on which the reporter placed quotations on, the owners of the quotations denied them, and after careful investigation and review of his reports, it was found that he was quoting people in his reports using ChatGPT to write. This happened to an experienced reporter who had been working for 15 years in a reputable media organisation in America. If a well-skilled reporter may misuse AI, what about the cub and budding reporters or those who are in school as campus journalists?

Similarly, The Guardian America reported that the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper was confirmed to have published a list of summer books, the majority of which do not exist, and it was generated using AI. According to The Guardian, among the fake book titles are ‘Hurricane Season’ by Brit Bennett, ‘Nightshade Market’ by Min Jin Lee, ‘The Longest Day’ by Rumaan Alam, ‘Boiling Point’ by Rebecca Makkai, ‘Migrations’ by Maggie O’Farrell, and ‘The Rainmakers’ by Percival Everett. All the authors listed are real, acclaimed novelists, but the books attributed to them are not genuine titles they published.

A huge controversy arose in the Chicago Sun-Times immediately after the report. However, as a responsible media outlet, the Chicago Sun-Times promised to investigate the incident. After concluding their findings, they released a story confirming that AI had been used to create the list as part of a special section supplied by a nationally recognised content partner and syndicated to the Chicago Sun-Times and other newspapers.

In their efforts to maintain their great reputation and offer a tentative apology, the Chicago Sun-Times said, “This should be a learning moment for all of journalism that our work is valued because of the relationship our very real, human reporters and editors have with our audiences.” The AI-generated stories were syndicated outside of Chicago.

A post on Threads by AngelaReadsBooks accused the Philadelphia Inquirer of publishing the same fake reading list, stating, Chicago Sun Times wrote “At a time when libraries and library budgets are being threatened every day, this is a slap in the face to anyone in the profession. Where is the journalistic integrity? They asked.

In Nigeria, the Nigerian Guild of Editors has taken a bold step by agreeing to establish a fact-checking desk for all journalists to address the misuse of AI and promote the integrity of journalism.

When Professor Pate, a leading communication scholar, interacted with students at the University of Maiduguri, he highlighted the challenges of new technology like AI that academia and students will face. According to him, 92 million jobs will vanish in the next few years, and over 100 new jobs will emerge.

As Vice Chancellor, he added that they are fully prepared to start teaching students the responsible and ethical use of AI in Federal University, Kashere. I hope Professor Pate will extend this gesture and incorporate it into our university curriculum in Nigeria, as it will greatly benefit the profession of journalism.

 

 Sale Rusulana Yanguruza wrote from [email protected]