Study reveals global views on journalism & technology

The Center for News, Technology & Innovation (CNTI) has released reports from two international surveys examining public perceptions of journalism and journalists' views on their profession in the digital news landscape.

The report titled "What the Public Wants from Journalism in the Age of AI: A Four Country Survey" details insights from over 4,000 respondents in Australia, Brazil, South Africa, and the United States. It focused on aspects such as who should produce journalism, how individuals access information, and attitudes towards the use of AI in journalism. Another report, "What It Means to Do Journalism in the Age of AI: Journalist Views on Safety, Technology and Government", presents findings from a global survey of journalists, exploring their perspectives on the use of technology, governmental interactions, and experiences of cyber threats.

According to Amy Mitchell, Executive Director at CNTI, "These global surveys reveal opportunities to address important gaps in how journalists and the public approach journalism and the process of getting informed today, alongside a growing consensus that journalism creation is no longer limited to professional newsrooms." She further states, "The journalist survey also surfaces important data on the state of government relations and journalistic security amid increasing threats to media freedoms around the world."

Findings show that both the public and journalists recognise the essential role of journalism in society, but there is a disconnect in how journalists believe their value is communicated. Over 76% of respondents across the surveyed countries affirm that "news organisations that employ reporters are a critical part of an informed society," while 40% to 65% note a perceived distinction between news and journalism. Nonetheless, 51% of journalists expressed concern that the public struggles to differentiate between journalism and other online information, and 45% worry about the industry's communication of its significance.

The survey reveals a flexible view of journalism production; nearly half or more participants (49-74%) believe that non-journalists can effectively create journalism. This sentiment aligns with 58% of journalists who acknowledge this perspective on journalism creation.

Technology plays a significant role in the contemporary media landscape. A majority of the surveyed public (57-85%) assert that digital technology is crucial for staying informed, and more than four-in-five journalists acknowledge its importance for source communication, information gathering, and audience outreach.

Despite the optimistic view of technology's impact on journalism, sentiment about AI presents a more divided picture. While 58% of Australians, 85% of Brazilians, and 74% of South Africans see digital technology impacting positively in the future, only 46% of Americans shared this optimism. Moreover, only 15-16% of Australians and Americans relate this positivity to AI, while roughly half of Brazilians (46%) and South Africans (49%) do.

Among journalists, two-thirds agree that digital technology benefits journalistic practices, but less than one-third believe AI will positively impact public information. More journalists in the Global South remain optimistic about AI (48%) than their counterparts in the Global North (16%).

Confidence in the internet as an open platform for news sharing remains relatively high, ranging from 62% to 79% among the public in different countries, with South Africans expressing the greatest confidence.

Concerning governmental influences, 50% of journalists reported experiencing governmental overreach in the past year, with few acknowledging government support for journalism. Additionally, a notable portion advocate against governmental definitions of journalism or journalists.

Regarding safety, 37% of journalists and 31% of their sources face significant risks regularly, yet only 15% use encrypted apps for communication, with email as the preferred method in liberal democracies.

Amy Mitchell underscored the global importance of the study, saying, "The two studies demonstrate the value of taking a global lens to these topics and questions. Among both the public and journalists, some clear regional differences emerge that are important for researchers and others working at the intersection of journalism, technology, and the information environment to take into consideration."