[ad_1]
“AI is not just a tool, it’s a revolution in the making,” said Zhang Shilei, digital director of CGTN, during the final panel discussion of the 2024 Global Journalism Forum. The panel was tasked with coming up with specific ideas on a range of issues discussed that day.
Mr Zhang highlighted the transformative potential of AI in content creation, while also stressing the need to carefully manage its use to avoid bias. “We see AI as a tool for revolution, not a revolution of tools,” added Shi Lei.
Assel Mussagaliyeva-Tang, founder of EDUTech Future and Microsoft in Education Global Training, highlighted concerns about AI ethics and governance. “Right now, the biggest problem of all with large language model (LLM) development is algorithmic bias,” Assel said. “Algorithms really represent how unfair our world is. We need to understand where AI ethics, bias, and governance come from — is it the people who train the models, the people who label the data, or the software engineers? Who is responsible when the data leaves the lab and enters the public eye?”
Fang Bei, president of Radio Free Asia, echoed the concerns and stressed strict editorial standards. “We need to ensure that our editorial integrity is maintained. The future of journalism lies in countering disinformation quickly and deeply,” Bei said.
Bay shared an example of RFA’s work. “During the Maui wildfires last year, false information circulated on Mandarin social media claiming that the wildfires were caused by U.S. weapons testing.” She highlighted the role of the Asia Fact Checking Lab, which was established to combat misinformation. “Our team investigated, performed reverse image searches, and found that the videos were actually from a 2018 storm in Louisiana. This kind of fact-checking is critical in today’s media environment,” Bay said.
Joe Hironaka, Director of the Communication and Information Section at UNESCO Bangkok, stressed the importance of media literacy and debunking false information. UNESCO has a media and information literacy programme based on critical thinking and a human rights approach.
Using media literacy to fight misinformation
The discussion also touched on the need for broader solutions and international cooperation. Jo highlighted UNESCO’s recent initiatives: “UNESCO has developed the first international normative instrument on the ethics of artificial intelligence, including its impact on the media. This is essential to maintain a balance in the digital age.”
Joe stressed that media literacy is crucial to addressing the problem of disinformation. “Media literacy programs based on critical thinking and a human rights approach are essential. This is about preparing people to independently evaluate news and information,” he said.
Multilingual and cultural reporting opportunities
Another key topic was the challenges of multilingual reporting and the preservation of languages. Joe stressed the need to address the issue of language extinction. “There are over 7,000 languages in the world, with around 4,000 in the Asia-Pacific region alone. Many of these languages are facing extinction. AI can play a role in preserving these languages, but we have to act quickly,” Joe pointed out.
The discussion also touched on the importance of diversity in news reporting. “There is no reason to report in only one language,” said Qiao. “We must respect linguistic diversity and ensure that our news reaches a global audience.”
Shi Lei said that according to recent Facebook data, “70% of young people on Facebook desire a more diverse culture in their media consumption,” highlighting the growing demand for diverse perspectives and content.
Ethical considerations and future directions
Panelists agreed that it is important to uphold journalism’s core ethics as newsrooms adopt new technologies and navigate regulatory challenges. “No matter what tools we use, journalism’s core values — accuracy, fairness and accountability — don’t change,” Bay stressed.
“We must navigate the complexity of digital governance while respecting a diverse regulatory environment,” Shi Lei said. “Our goal is to create value for users and provide verifiable and trustworthy information.”
The message at the end of the forum was clear: the future of journalism will depend on the industry’s ability to balance innovation, new technologies and new opportunities with strict ethical standards and a renewed commitment to accurate and fair reporting.
[ad_2]
Source link
