Journalism needs better representation to counter AI

Journalism is currently facing significant challenges related to staff layoffs and the rise of artificial intelligence. As automation increases, the representation of diverse voices is at risk, impacting the quality and integrity of reporting, per commentary from Brookings.

The issue:  

The journalism industry is grappling with substantial job cuts, as over 500 media professionals were laid off in January 2024 alone, mainly affecting journalists of color, who represented 42% of those laid off despite being only 17% of the workforce. This trend raises concerns about the future of journalistic integrity and the diversity of perspectives in news reporting.

What they recommend:  

Experts recommend that the integration of AI in newsrooms should be done thoughtfully, prioritizing support for journalists of color who provide valuable insights. Furthermore, they stress the need for equitable hiring practices to ensure diverse voices are included in the journalism field.

Go deeper:  

Diverse voices are crucial in combating the biases inherent in AI systems, which often reflect underrepresented groups in their training data. Historical partnerships, like that between Google and The Afro newspaper, highlight the importance of fair compensation and attribution. By employing more diverse journalists, newsrooms can enrich storytelling and help counteract the adverse effects of AI-driven narratives.

This is a brief overview of a commentary from Brookings. For complete insights, we recommend reading the full commentary.