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MediaMorph Edition 58 - by HANA News

This codependency doesn’t have to be toxic

MediaMorph Edition 58 - by HANA News

This codependency doesn’t have to be toxic

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The written-by-a-human bit

There is nothing like 20+ hours on a Boeing 777 to encourage some reflection. So it was as I returned from a whistle-stop visit to Melbourne, with thanks to Google News Initiative, Melbourne Business School and News Australia for their hospitality. I was reflecting on my talk to the Digital News Academy for Editors, where I hope I landed three key points: AI is your friend, learn by doing, and this stuff is coming down the pipe far faster than most people realise.

However, within any discussion about AI acceleration, there is an obvious tension with the inevitable “what abouts?” What about the disruption, what about the job losses, what about AGI, what about the catastrophic decline in organic search traffic?

I didn’t sugarcoat these points, suggesting that we should lean into our advantages as humans and why machines will never be actual, intuitive, empathetic journalists.

This theme is explored in an excellent essay AI and journalism: this could be the beginning of a great codependency by Marga Zambrana in Letras Libres, featured below. Marga argues that it is up to us to determine how much we let the machines take over and how we prevent the relationship from becoming toxic.

Also featured below is Alex Riesner’s piece in the Atlantic, “The End of Publishing as We Know It”, with the terrifying lack of a question mark. Alex argues that the rise of generative AI may spell doom for the Fourth Estate: With AI, the tech industry even deprives publishers of an audience”. The tech titans are not that concerned - Google CEO Sundar Pichai: “There’ll be a marketplace in the future, I think—there’ll be creators who will create for AI. People will figure it out.”

My reflection as we came into land: the adoption debate is over; increased AI use is now business-critical. As for the existential risk to the media business model, it’s up to us to figure it out, and fast.

Mark Riley, CEO, Mathison AI

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Mark Riley

AI and Journalism

The End of Publishing as We Know It

The Atlantic - June 25, 2025

Generative AI, particularly chatbots summarising news articles, poses a significant threat to media publishers by drastically reducing web traffic and undermining traditional revenue models, leading to layoffs and legal challenges. As publishers grapple with the imbalanced negotiation dynamics with AI companies, calls for a new compensation framework highlight the urgent need to protect journalistic integrity in an evolving digital landscape.

Read more at The Atlantic (10 mins)

AI and journalism: this could be the beginning of a great codependency

Letras Libres - June 30, 2025

AI is revolutionising journalism, but this transformation risks compromising editorial independence as media outlets become increasingly dependent on technology platforms, potentially leading to a decline in content quality and the erosion of traditional journalistic standards. Experts warn that without strict human oversight, the prevalence of AI-generated content could drown out authentic reporting, ultimately undermining the public interest.

Read more at Letras Libres (8 mins)

AI-generated ‘experts’ writing for online magazines

The Times - June 29, 2025

The publisher of Belgium's Elle and Marie Claire has removed AI-generated articles, highlighting the critical debate over authenticity and quality in journalism. This decision reflects a commitment to upholding editorial standards in the face of the challenges posed by evolving technology in publishing.

Read more at The Times (1 min)

A lot has changed since we created AI ethics guidelines for newsrooms. Here’s what you need to know now

Poynter - 

Poynter has updated its 'starter kit' for newsrooms, focusing on integrating AI responsibly in journalism, and now features dedicated sections for visual journalists and product teams. The guide emphasises ethical practices, transparency, and maintaining journalistic integrity while offering practical resources for effective AI use in storytelling and digital product development.

Read more at Poynter (1 min)

Inside Wikipedia’s AI revolt—and what it means for the media

Fastcompany - 

The rise of AI-generated summaries in journalism sparks a crucial debate about the role of human editors, as newsrooms strive to balance efficiency with the need for quality, accuracy, and engaging storytelling. As organisations explore AI's potential, they must ensure that journalistic integrity and the unique insights of human editors remain at the forefront.

Read more at Fast Company (1 min)

Readers struggle to understand AI’s role in news writing, study suggests

Psypost - 

A recent study reveals that many readers misunderstand the role of AI in news writing, leading to confusion about its capabilities and affecting trust in journalism. To enhance reader understanding and foster transparency, news organizations must educate audiences on how AI tools are integrated into the news production process.

Read more at Psypost (1 min)

Can AI Tools Meet Journalistic Standards?

CJR - 

The Media Today newsletter explores how evolving AI tools promise to enhance efficiency in media organisations by streamlining operations and improving content creation, while also addressing the challenges of integrating these technologies into journalism. It aims to shed light on the potential impact of AI on the future of the media landscape and audience engagement.

Read more at CJR (1 min)

Rethinking AI in journalism with global cooperation

Digital Watch Observatory - June 23, 2025

At the Internet Governance Forum 2025, R&W Media unveiled the Haarlem Declaration to promote ethical AI practices in journalism, featuring an ‘ethical AI checklist’ focused on human rights and environmental responsibility. The session highlighted the importance of localised AI solutions and called for policies rooted in international human rights law, addressing challenges like algorithmic bias faced by grassroots organisations from the Global South.

Read more at Digital Watch Observatory (2 mins)

How we are experimenting with AI

Elpasoinc - 

Cara Pridemore, a journalism student from El Paso at Mississippi College, is eager to secure summer internships that will enhance her skills and prepare her for a successful media career. With a passion for storytelling, she's seeking advice on finding opportunities, crafting standout applications, and thriving in a competitive field.

Read more at Elpasoinc (1 min)

What a new AI protocol means for journalists

Deutsche Welle - June 25, 2025

The rise of generative AI, particularly through large language models and innovations like the Model Context Protocol, is transforming journalism by making complex software more accessible and enabling semi-autonomous coding. While these advancements enhance journalistic capabilities, they also raise critical ethical questions about responsibility and the potential misuse of AI technologies.

Read more at Deutsche Welle (7 mins)

AI-personalised news takes new forms (but do readers want them?)

Niemanlab - 

Generative AI is revolutionising news personalisation by creating tailored articles and multimedia content that reflect individual user interests, adapting in real-time to trends and behaviours. This innovative approach enhances reader engagement but also raises critical questions about information diversity and the potential for echo chambers.

Read more at Niemanlab (1 min)

‘Rogue AI’ proves human news sense is essential

Euractiv - 

An AI-generated summer weather report went viral for its bizarre and humorous forecasts, featuring exaggerated predictions like “thunderstorms that might unleash a deluge of rubber ducks” and whimsical advice such as wearing sunglasses at night. While it entertained many, the report also drew criticism for its unorthodox approach to meteorology.

Read more at Euractiv (1 min)

Readers struggle to understand AI’s role in news writing, study suggests

Psypost - 

A recent study reveals that readers often misunderstand the role of AI in news writing, leading to misconceptions about its capabilities and affecting their trust in news sources. To bridge this gap, the research calls for more transparent communication from media organisations about how AI is integrated into journalism, fostering viewer engagement and trust.

Read more at Psypost (1 min)

AI and Academic Publishing

Can academics use AI to write journal papers? What the guidelines say

The Conversation - June 26, 2025

AI is transforming academic writing by offering tools for text generation and data analysis, but its use raises ethical concerns regarding originality and authorship. To maintain research integrity, authors must transparently disclose AI involvement, ensuring the accuracy and ethical use of AI-generated content while adhering to guidelines from established organizations.

Read more at The Conversation (6 mins)

New study reveals bias in AI text detection tools impacts academic publishing fairness

Techxplore - 

A recent PeerJ Computer Science study uncovers significant accuracy-bias trade-offs in AI text detection tools, revealing that while some models perform well, they can also exhibit biases influenced by language and demographics. The researchers stress the importance of addressing these biases to ensure fair applications in areas like content moderation and sentiment analysis.

Read more at Techxplore (1 min)

AI in Academia: Navigating the Ethical Labyrinth of Academic Writing

Opentools - 

The rise of AI in academic writing prompts urgent ethical questions around citation practices, authorship recognition, and the potential for intellectual property issues. As scholars grapple with these challenges, concerns about misinformation and unequal access to technology in academia also emerge.

Read more at Opentools (1 min)

Research integrity in books: Prevention by balancing human oversight and AI tools

Springernature - 

Springer Nature emphasizes research integrity and publication ethics in scholarly book publishing through a comprehensive approach that combines prevention, human expertise, and advanced AI tools. By supporting authors and implementing rigorous checks, they ensure the accuracy and reliability of published works, safeguarding the scientific record.

Read more at Springernature (8 mins)

Weekend reads: Trump cuts funding for Springer Nature pubs; another nonexistent study for HHS; what RFK Jr. got right about academic publishing

Retraction Watch - June 28, 2025

This week at Retraction Watch, notable updates include the retraction of a paper by a COPE integrity officer over image issues and the Slovak science academy's critique of a controversial mRNA vaccine study. Highlights also feature discussions on research integrity, new platforms tracking preprints, and ongoing concerns about retractions and ethical practices in academia.

Read more at Retraction Watch (4 mins)

Study Finds AI Text Detectors May Unfairly Penalize Non

IHLS - June 29, 2025

A recent study in PeerJ Computer Science highlights significant flaws in AI text detection tools like GPTZero and ZeroGPT, revealing their inconsistency and bias, particularly against non-native English speakers. Researchers urge a move towards more ethical applications of AI in writing, advocating for clear guidelines to uphold academic integrity.

Read more at IHLS (2 mins)

How Academics Are Pushing Back On The For-Profit Academic Publishing Industry – OpEd

Eurasiareview - 

Scholars are increasingly challenging the high article processing charges and exploitative practices of traditional academic publishing, advocating for open access models that promote equitable knowledge dissemination. Initiatives like preprint repositories and institutional funds are emerging as viable alternatives, allowing researchers to share their work freely and transparently.

Read more at Eurasiareview (1 min)

This newsletter was partly curated and summarised by AI agents, who can make mistakes. Check all important information. For any issues or inaccuracies, please notify us here