AI in Journalism: The Ethical Crossroads

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into journalism is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it promises to revolutionize newsrooms by automating routine tasks, assisting with data analysis, and even generating content. On the other, it poses significant ethical challenges that threaten the core values of journalism. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has highlighted these concerns, warning that AI cannot replace human journalists and its output must not be considered journalism unless subject to appropriate human oversight and checking.

The rise of AI-fuelled online disinformation is another threat, requiring a response in the form of journalists’ scrutiny. Deep fakes are particularly challenging. “Deep fakes are a direct attack on democracy and on people’s fundamental right to reliable and independent information,” says Anthony Bellanger, IFJ General Secretary. “Journalists are on the front lines of this drift, and their verification work is becoming increasingly important although complex.”

The IFJ is urging trade unions and media to address the issue of Artificial Intelligence, as part of their social dialogue. AI is reshaping newsrooms, automating routine tasks, assisting with data analysis, and even generating content. This technology has the potential to improve efficiency and save journalists from doing mundane tasks such as data collection. But the IFJ is concerned that little has been done in the social dialogue to ensure the ethical use of AI in newsrooms, e.g. directly addressing clauses on transparency. The Federation is particularly concerned that AI could ultimately replace editorial decisions, which are currently made by professional staff in newsrooms.

Additionally, the Federation has specific concerns about the use of journalistic works to feed AI. This often automatic process can lead to journalists not being compensated for their articles, unless a specific agreement has already been made with the relevant media organisations. Licensing agreements between news organisations and AI companies should ensure that journalists are fairly compensated for their contributions and allow journalists to opt out if they refuse their works being used in this way.

Unions and media should also ensure that journalists, including freelancers, receive proper AI literacy training. They should also help journalists make this work transition.

“It is high time for everyone in the sector to jointly reflect on how journalism can adapt to the evolving landscape of AI, while safeguarding its ethical standards and the core values of press freedom,” says Bellanger. “The future of journalism is one where human oversight, transparency and accountability remain at the centre of AI usage. We must ensure that technology serves to enhance the work of journalists, not undermine it.”

The IFJ calls on all stakeholders - journalists, unions, media organisations and policymakers - to work collaboratively in developing AI guidelines that prioritise the rights and well-being of journalists. This goal should include setting clear boundaries for AI’s role in newsrooms, fostering transparency in AI processes, ensuring that journalists get compensated and can opt out of their work being used by AI, and protecting editorial independence. The Federation also highlights the importance of collective bargaining, to guarantee that journalists’ voices are heard as these technologies become more integrated into the media landscape.



The ethical deployment of AI is crucial. It has to be done transparently, ensuring the public understands when AI is involved and how it’s being used. For instance, Der Spiegel built an AI tool to support their fact-checking process, aiming to automate routine verification tasks while maintaining journalistic integrity and leveraging human expertise. This approach ensures that AI is used to enhance, rather than replace, human judgment.

The rise of AI-fuelled online disinformation is another threat, requiring a response in the form of journalists’ scrutiny. Deep fakes are particularly challenging. “Deep fakes are a direct attack on democracy and on people’s fundamental right to reliable and independent information,” says Anthony Bellanger, IFJ General Secretary. “Journalists are on the front lines of this drift, and their verification work is becoming increasingly important although complex.”

The IFJ is urging trade unions and media to address the issue of Artificial Intelligence, as part of their social dialogue. AI is reshaping newsrooms, automating routine tasks, assisting with data analysis, and even generating content. This technology has the potential to improve efficiency and save journalists from doing mundane tasks such as data collection. But the IFJ is concerned that little has been done in the social dialogue to ensure the ethical use of AI in newsrooms, e.g. directly addressing clauses on transparency. The Federation is particularly concerned that AI could ultimately replace editorial decisions, which are currently made by professional staff in newsrooms.

Additionally, the Federation has specific concerns about the use of journalistic works to feed AI. This often automatic process can lead to journalists not being compensated for their articles, unless a specific agreement has already been made with the relevant media organisations. Licensing agreements between news organisations and AI companies should ensure that journalists are fairly compensated for their contributions and allow journalists to opt out if they refuse their works being used in this way.

Unions and media should also ensure that journalists, including freelancers, receive proper AI literacy training. They should also help journalists make this work transition.

“It is high time for everyone in the sector to jointly reflect on how journalism can adapt to the evolving landscape of AI, while safeguarding its ethical standards and the core values of press freedom,” says Bellanger. “The future of journalism is one where human oversight, transparency and accountability remain at the centre of AI usage. We must ensure that technology serves to enhance the work of journalists, not undermine it.”

The IFJ calls on all stakeholders - journalists, unions, media organisations and policymakers - to work collaboratively in developing AI guidelines that prioritise the rights and well-being of journalists. This goal should include setting clear boundaries for AI’s role in newsrooms, fostering transparency in AI processes, ensuring that journalists get compensated and can opt out of their work being used by AI, and protecting editorial independence. The Federation also highlights the importance of collective bargaining, to guarantee that journalists’ voices are heard as these technologies become more integrated into the media landscape.