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Do public service media still matter? Just ask ChatGPT.
At a time when trust in the media is plummeting around the world and misinformation is proliferating due to generative AI, even ChatGPT knows the importance of public service media.
During a discussion at the Global Journalism Forum on the theme “Truth, Trust and Democracy”, media experts spoke about the alarming decline in trust in the media and its impact on democratic institutions.
“The bad news is that trust in the media has been declining in countries around the world, and in the process, confidence in democracy has also been declining,” said Thepchai Yong, executive adviser to Thailand’s Public Broadcasting Corporation (PBS).
Thepchai, who moderated the panel discussion, stressed the critical role played by the media as the “fourth estate” in promoting and nurturing democracy. He added: “Less and fewer people trust the media to report the truth and people are beginning to see the media as becoming more biased and partisan.”
Nesryn Bouziane, Director of International Broadcasting and Digital Services Strategy, ABC Australia, stressed the importance of public service media in maintaining trust. She noted that the ABC has always enjoyed a high level of trust from the Australian public, thanks to its long history, independent statutory mandate and initiatives to ensure transparency and accountability.
“As a public media, we have very clear values,” Nesryn said. “We serve the public interest, we are accountable, we represent the diversity of our population, and we adapt to new technologies,” she explained.
Ms Neslin highlighted the ABC’s efforts to combat misinformation, including the recent creation of a dedicated fact-checking unit within its newsroom. She also stressed the importance of decentralising operations and working with local communities to better meet the diverse needs of the Australian public.
Dechai pointed out that many traditional media are in financial difficulties and are unable to devote resources to in-depth reporting.
“Last week, I asked ChatGPT why public media is still needed in the age of AI. The answer is that public media is still necessary because, at the end of the day, ChatGPT needs trustworthy journalism to replicate,” he shared.
He asked the panel how media organizations can effectively counter the influence of social media and the proliferation of misinformation.
Dr. Surachanee Hammerli Sriyai, Visiting Fellow at the Yusof Ishak Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore, stressed that a concerted effort is needed to restore trust in democracy. She called on media organizations to redouble their efforts on strict journalistic standards, fact-checking and transparency, while urging citizens to be more selective in consuming news and information.
“Ultimately, restoring trust in democracy requires a collective effort,” said Dr. Surachani. “It requires a renewed commitment to truth and integrity from the media and the public. It requires us to be responsible for the information we consume and share,” she explained.
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