By Theresa Kef Sesay


For Journalism Studies

As artificial intelligence (AI) technologies become increasingly embedded in the media landscape, concerns are growing over their impact on the credibility of journalism. For students and scholars of journalism studies, understanding the challenges posed by AI is critical—both for navigating the evolving media environment and for upholding journalistic ethics and standards.

The Proliferation of Misinformation and Disinformation

One of the most pressing concerns is the use of AI to generate and disseminate false or misleading content. Deepfake videos, AI-generated news articles, and automated social media bots have become tools of disinformation campaigns. These technologies can convincingly mimic legitimate journalism, making it difficult for audiences to distinguish between credible news and fabricated stories.^1

This not only undermines public trust in the media but also challenges the role of the journalist as a gatekeeper of verified information. In an academic context, it highlights the need for journalism students to develop strong fact-checking and digital verification skills.

Public Skepticism and the Rise of ‘Truth Fatigue’

The presence of AI-generated misinformation has a compounding effect: it fosters public skepticism toward even genuine reporting. As audiences become more aware of deepfakes and manipulated content, they may begin to question the authenticity of all media—leading to what scholars term “truth fatigue.”^2

Dr. James Bangura, a lecturer in Journalism and Media Ethics, observes:

“We are entering a period where the audience’s default response to news is doubt. That has serious consequences for democratic engagement and media accountability.”

For journalism students, this trend underscores the importance of transparency, source verification, and ethical reporting practices to rebuild public trust.

The Threat of AI-Driven Content Farms

Another issue is the rise of AI-generated content farms—websites that churn out large volumes of articles optimized for search engines but lacking journalistic rigor. These sites often prioritize clicks over truth, diminishing the visibility and perceived value of well-researched, original reporting.^3

Students must recognize the commercial incentives that drive these practices and critically assess the influence of algorithms on content production and audience reach. These dynamics challenge traditional journalism values and introduce new ethical dilemmas in the digital age.

Algorithmic Bias and Lack of Editorial Judgment

AI systems are not neutral. They inherit biases from the data on which they are trained. This can lead to skewed reporting, misrepresentation of marginalized groups, and reinforcement of harmful stereotypes.^4 Moreover, AI lacks human editorial judgment—the ability to interpret context, weigh ethical concerns, and respond to sensitive issues with empathy.

For journalism scholars and students, this calls for a renewed focus on media ethics, diversity, and inclusion, as well as the development of critical frameworks for evaluating AI tools in journalistic practice.

The Disconnection from Human-Centered Reporting

AI-generated content often lacks the human voice—the empathy, intuition, and moral reasoning that define high-quality journalism. Journalism students must be trained to distinguish between content that merely informs and content that resonates. Audiences are more likely to trust journalism that is transparent, contextual, and emotionally intelligent—qualities AI still struggles to replicate.^5

Fake News Outlets and Impersonation Risks

AI has also made it easier to fabricate entire media ecosystems, including fake news websites, fabricated journalist profiles, and cloned branding of reputable outlets. These deceptive platforms can spread propaganda or manipulate public opinion under the guise of legitimate journalism.^6

This further erodes trust in the media and places greater responsibility on journalists—and journalism students—to verify sources, uphold professional integrity, and understand the implications of digital deception.

What This Means for Journalism Education

In light of these challenges, journalism education must evolve. Key recommendations for educators and students include:


• Integrating media literacy and AI literacy into journalism curricula


• Teaching advanced verification techniques and digital forensics


• Promoting ethical awareness in the use of AI tools


• Encouraging transparency and accountability in AI-assisted reporting

While AI offers powerful tools that can support journalistic work—from transcription and data analysis to audience engagement—it also introduces complex threats to media credibility. For students of journalism studies, the challenge is twofold: to harness the benefits of AI responsibly, and to guard against its potential to distort truth, erode trust, and compromise journalistic integrity.

In this critical moment, journalism students are not just learning to report the news—they are preparing to defend the credibility of the media itself.

Footnotes


1. Samantha Bradshaw and Philip N. Howard, The Global Disinformation Order: 2019 Global Inventory of Organized Social Media Manipulation, Oxford Internet Institute, 2019.


2. Claire Wardle and Hossein Derakhshan, Information Disorder: Toward an Interdisciplinary Framework for Research and Policy Making, Council of Europe, 2017.


3. Nicholas Diakopoulos, Automating the News: How Algorithms Are Rewriting the Media, Harvard University Press, 2019.


4. Safiya Umoja Noble, Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Racism, NYU Press, 2018.


5. Matthew Hindman, The Internet Trap: How the Digital Economy Builds Monopolies and Undermines Democracy, Princeton University Press, 2018.


6. Craig Silverman, Lies, Damn Lies and Viral Content, Tow Center for Digital Journalism, Columbia University, 2015. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/artificial-intelligence-and-the-erosion-of-media-credibility-implications-for-journalism-students/