Journalistic ethics in the age of artificial intelligence

A. Alia Omar Al-Buaishi

Department of Media, Faculty of Arts / University of Zawiya

a.elbuaishi@zu.edu.ly

https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5208-3919

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20171953

Abstract:  

The research aims to reveal the essence of professional journalistic ethics in the era of artificial intelligence, particularly following the major transformation witnessed by journalism in recent years as a result of rapid technological developments and the emergence of artificial intelligence technologies, which are now used in the various stages of journalistic editing processes; This has created  new opportunities for the development of journalistic performance within media institutions.  However, it has  also raised several ethical issues  related to the nature of  journalistic practice in the age of artificial intelligence. The research adopted a descriptive-analytical  approach,  reviewing  scholarly literature,  professional charters, and reports issued by international organizations, as well as previous studies that addressed media  ethics and its importance in regulating professional practice, especially those related to the use of artificial intelligence technologies in the media. This second axis  highlights the problems of verifying automated journalistic content,  algorithmic bias and its impact on journalistic objectivity, in addition  to  protecting  data  privacy  and  the  ethics of  journalistic practice,  and  the  requirements of  transparency and professional accountability in the use of digital technologies within media institutions. The research revealed that  employing artificial intelligence technologies in journalistic work  contributes to its development and raises the efficiency of editors'  professional performance.  However,  at  the  same  time,  it  poses  several  ethical challenges  related  to  the  accuracy of  information,  the  possibility  of the spread  of  fake  and  misleading  news,  the  potential  for  algorithmic  bias,  and  other problems. Other  findings  relate  to  protecting  the  privacy  of the public's digital data. The results also emphasized the need to  strengthen  mechanisms for verifying automated  content, maintain the  role  of the human editor by involving them in content oversight and  monitoring before publication, and ensure their adherence to the principles of  transparency  and  responsibility  in journalistic  practice. Furthermore,  the results  stressed the importance of training  journalists  and  enhancing  their technical and professional skills to effectively and responsibly utilize artificial intelligence technologies in journalistic work, upholding  professional ethical values and strengthening  public trust in the media  content provided by media institutions. 

Keywords: Journalistic ethics –  Artificial intelligence –  Journalistic practice –  Transparency and professional accountability.