Growing more complex by the day: How should journalists govern use of AI in their products?
Growing more complex by the day: How should journalists govern use of AI in their products?
Publish Date: 2026-02-27 00:06:00
Source Domain: wtop.com
Like so many sectors of the economy, the news industry is hurtling toward a future where artificial intelligence plays a…
Like so many sectors of the economy, the news industry is hurtling toward a future where artificial intelligence plays a major role — grappling with questions about how much the technology is used, what consumers should be told about it, whether anything can be done for the journalists who will be left behind.
These issues were on the minds of reporters for the independent outlet ProPublica as they walked picket lines earlier this month. They’re inching toward a potential strike, in what is believed would be the first such job action in the news business where how to deal with AI is the chief sticking point.
Few expect this dispute will be the last.
AI has undeniably helped journalists, simplifying complex tasks and saving time, particularly with data-focused stories. News organizations are using it to help sift through the Epstein files. AI suggests headlines, summarizes stories. Transcription technology has largely eliminated the need for a human to type up interviews. These days, even a simple Google search frequently involves AI.
Yet rushing to see how AI can help a financially troubled industry has resulted in several cases of publications owning up to errors.
Within the past year, Bloomberg issued several corrections for mistakes in AI-generated news summaries. Business Insider and Wired were forced to remove articles by a fake author named Margaux Blanchard. The Los Angeles Times had trouble with AI and opinion pieces. Ars Technica said AI fabricated quotes, and the publication that has frequently reported on the risks of overreliance on AI tools embarrassed itself further by failing to follow its policy to tell readers when the tool is used.
The ProPublica dispute is noteworthy for how it…
