A clear distinction is needed for the role of artificial intelligence in journalism

On World Freedom Day, May 3, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), the global voice of journalists, calls on artificial intelligence (AI) to be led by the social dialogue between journalistic unions and the media.

In accordance with the UNESCO theme for this year « Reporting in the wonderful new world – the impact of artificial intelligence on print freedom », IFJ calls on journalists, unions and media organizations to join collective actions to ensure that AI maintains the ethical creation of news.

In its recommendations for the use of artificial intelligence, adopted in June 2024, IFJ emphasizes that « II cannot replace journalists and should not be considered » journalism « unless it has been subjected to appropriate human supervision and verification. »

Checking the facts and critical thinking are at the heart of journalism: it can’t do them on its own. IFJ warns in particular about bias, stereotypes, and factual errors that can contribute to misleading the audience. The federation points out that journalists are essential for these tasks.

The rise of online misinformation, fueled by artificial intelligence, is another threat requiring a response in the form of control by journalists. Deep Fake messages are a special challenge, IFJ reminds. « They are a direct attack on democracy and against the fundamental right of people to reliable and independent information, » says Anthony Benage, Secretary General of IFJ. « Journalists are on the front line of this movement and their work on checking is becoming more important, albeit more complicated. »

IFJ calls on trade unions and media to deal with the problem of artificial intelligence as part of their social dialogue. Artificial intelligence converts edits, automates routine tasks, supports data analysis and even generates content. This technology has the potential to improve efficiency and save journalists from routine tasks such as data collection.

But IFJ is concerned that it has been done in social dialogue to ensure the ethical use of artificial intelligence in editorials, such as direct consideration of transparency clauses.

The federation is particularly concerned that artificial intelligence can ultimately replace the editorial decisions that are currently taken by professional employees in the edits.

In addition, the federation has specific concerns about the use of journalistic works for the power supply of AI. This often automatic process can lead to journalists not to receive remuneration for their articles, unless a special agreement has already been concluded with the relevant media organizations. License agreements between news organizations and EIA companies must ensure that journalists receive a fair remuneration for their contribution and allow them to refuse if they refuse their works to be used in this way.

Trade unions and media must also ensure that journalists, including freelance, receive appropriate education training in the fields of AI. They also need to help journalists make this transition in the way they work.

« It is high time that everyone in the sector should think together how journalism can adapt to the changing landscape of AI, while protecting its ethical standards and the basic values ​​of the freedom of the press, » Benge says. « The future of journalism is one in which human supervision, transparency and accountability remain at the center of use of AI. We must ensure that technologies serve to improve the work of journalists, not to undermine it. »

IFJ calls on all stakeholders – journalists, trade unions, media organizations and politicians – to work together to develop instructions for AIs that give priority to the rights and well -being of journalists. This objective should include defining clear boundaries for the role of AI in editorials, promoting transparency in II -related processes, ensuring that journalists receive compensation and can abandon the use of their work by AI, as well as the protection of editorial independence.

The Federation also emphasizes the importance of collective negotiation to ensure that journalists’ votes are heard as these technologies are becoming increasingly integrated in the media landscape.