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MediaMorph Edition 113 - by Mark Riley
Is your AI aggregating, plagiarising or curating?
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The written-by-a-human bit
Aggregation generally gets a bad rap. Poorly executed AI-powered aggregators are “plankton” or “bottom-feeders”, generating oceans of AI slop on the backs of hard-fought, human journalism, without any attribution, citation or recognition. Take Nota News, for example, which was forced to shut down after Axios and Poynter found it plagiarising other local news websites. Over at social media land, clippers are making large sums from editing out highlight reels from original YouTube videos. TikToks and Instagram reels.
Others are sailing close to the wind by building entire niche websites based on AI-aggregated press releases, with zero attribution.
The biggest and ugliest aggregators of all are, of course, the AI answer engines - AI overviews driving down organic traffic by up to 80%.
In their defence, they will argue that all forms of journalism have always been some form of repurposing stories - the machines are just doing it better and faster.
The problem might be the word “aggregation” itself, which is generally pejorative. Done well, it should be far more than just summaries, bringing human judgement to separate the signal from the noise, giving the reader a significant return on limited time invested. Perhaps “curator” is the more respectable term.
So who is doing curation well? Arguably, The Week in the UK is the oldest and original curator of summaries. Newsletter versions include The Knowledge and Morningbrew. (Does anyone remember Summly? Summly was sold in 2013 by Nick D’Aloisio then aged 18, to Yahoo for a reported $30m)
John Ellis’s News Items seems to have cracked the code on human intentionality, working hard to bring a synthesis of meaningful stories to senior media execs (News Items was born at Fox and News Corp, where Ellis briefed senior execs each morning)
The question now is: will the human-curated summaries become artisanal artefacts, valued for human editorial taste and trust? Or will the machines learn from their success and become just as good at finding the “news that is interesting, important or both” as John Ellis puts it.
Here at Mathison, we have been experimenting with our own homegrown AI software, Hana to create weekly local newsletters about Bristol and Oxford from national and local sources, including crime reports, universities, property companies and the ONS (Office for National Statistics). The articles are AI-found, human-curated and fully linked and attributed, with our own editors adding their own pithy, humorous views and hot takes. The finished product includes an editorial, data box, news summaries, best of Instagram, sport, property and what’s on. They are growing organically week on week with a highly repeatable and efficient human/AI interaction.
I am not claiming we have solved the local news business model, but this feels like the right balance.
Mark Riley, CEO Mathison AI
AI and Journalism
This week’s best articles, as chosen by HANA and our editors
The next AI debate is unfolding within the news organization itself Editor and Publisher - July 14, 2026 The debate over AI's role in journalism intensifies, with high-profile failures highlighting risks while innovative uses show its potential; as unions push for protections and publishers grapple with ethical concerns, the future of AI in media remains uncertain yet critical for ensuring accountability and fair compensation for journalists. |
Can AI replace expert sources? A Brazilian media scandal pushes journalism into new ethical territory LatAm Journalism Review by the Knight Center - July 14, 2026 A recent controversy in Brazil highlights the ethical dilemmas of AI in journalism, sparked by an AI-assisted article from Giro10 that featured fictional experts and raised concerns about credibility and human oversight. The National Federation of Journalists called for stricter guidelines on AI use, emphasizing the necessity of transparency and the risks posed by prioritizing cost over quality in reporting. |
How to Develop AI Guidelines Cjr - Engaging with newsroom leaders and policy experts is vital for developing ethical guidelines that enhance transparency, accuracy, and accountability in journalism. By fostering collaboration and ongoing training, news organizations can navigate challenges like misinformation and social media impact while building trust with their audiences. |
Why Sarasota journalism matters more than ever in the AI age Sarasota Herald-Tribune - July 19, 2026 As AI transforms journalism, the core values of curiosity and community engagement remain essential for local reporting. Genuine interactions and firsthand observations create original content that no machine can replicate, underscoring the timeless importance of traditional journalistic practices. |
Peter Thiel’s AI Tribunal Put Journalists on Trial. Now It’s Pivoted to Scoreboard Model The Hollywood Reporter - July 16, 2026 Peter Thiel's rebranded startup, The Primary, now focuses on ranking journalists based on their reporting credibility, aiming to enhance accountability in the media industry. CEO Aron D’Souza highlights the initiative's potential to provide a public scorecard of journalistic work, influencing hiring and compensation while promoting thorough, well-sourced reporting. |
Behind the Bylines: Is AI ‘deskilling’ journalists? Sentinel and Enterprise - July 17, 2026 A recent study in Journalism Practice raises concerns that journalism students' reliance on AI for tasks like generating reports may undermine essential skills such as sourcing and critical thinking, emphasizing the need for human connection and inquiry in storytelling. While AI can enhance efficiency, educators warn that overreliance could diminish journalists' instincts for investigation and lead to a narrow focus on established narratives. |
Big Tech, AI, and journalism: Visibility, authority, and viability European Federation of Journalists - July 16, 2026 In the face of mounting challenges from Big Tech and disinformation, independent journalism in Hungary demonstrates resilience by prioritizing truth and ethical standards, even as organizations across Europe explore inclusive membership for non-traditional news creators. This evolving media landscape demands urgent discussions on regulation, integrity, and innovative business models to sustain trust in journalism. |
Editorial: AI in the workplace Wbaltv - AI is revolutionizing the American workplace by enhancing efficiency in customer service, optimizing manufacturing processes, and improving healthcare outcomes. As it transforms industries, companies are investing in reskilling programs to prepare their workforce for new roles and technologies. |
Primary Launches the World's First AI Index of Journalism Primary has unveiled the Primary Index, an AI-driven tool that organizes and categorizes over 2 million articles, making journalistic content more accessible. This innovative resource aims to enhance content discoverability, support informed decision-making, and promote media literacy in today's complex information environment. |
AI versus Humans In Automotive Journalism: Who Does It Better? Forbes - July 20, 2026 While AI has made significant progress in automotive journalism, it still struggles with analyzing trends and creating high-quality imagery, lacking the nuanced expertise and creative insight of human professionals. As a result, AI is best suited for low-to-medium priority tasks, while expert knowledge remains essential for producing comprehensive vehicle reviews and compelling photography. |
The next AI debate is unfolding within the news organization itself Editor and Publisher - July 14, 2026 The debate over AI's role in journalism intensifies, with high-profile failures highlighting risks while innovative uses show its potential; as unions push for protections and publishers grapple with ethical concerns, the future of AI in media remains uncertain yet critical for ensuring accountability and fair compensation for journalists. |
Google search traffic to leading UK publishers set to halve by Q3 2027 The rise of AI technologies is significantly reducing referral traffic for online publishers, as users increasingly rely on AI-driven platforms for concise information instead of traditional search engines. To stay competitive, publishers must adapt their content strategies and explore new revenue streams to engage audiences effectively. |
beehiiv expands beyond newsletters With AI and ad tools The Media Copilot - July 17, 2026 Beehiiv is revolutionizing independent publishing with its new all-in-one platform, featuring innovative tools like Copilot, an AI-driven assistant for marketing and revenue, and Community, a discussion space for subscribers. This expansion not only enhances operational efficiency for publishers but also signals a shift towards consolidating key functions in a single ecosystem, while raising questions about platform dependence. |
Top 50 English-language news sites in the world: Indian news sites see biggest declines in June Press Gazette updates its list of the top 50 most popular news websites globally each month, using data from SimilarWeb to track web traffic and engagement. This dynamic ranking offers valuable insights into digital journalism trends and audience preferences, reflecting the competitive landscape of news media. |
Alessandra Galloni examines the implications of AI for journalism in 2026 Andrew Olle lecture Abc - July 21, 2026 In the 2026 Andrew Olle Media Lecture, Reuters editor-in-chief Alessandra Galloni highlighted the dual-edged impact of AI on journalism, emphasizing the need for fair compensation for original reporting while navigating the challenges of misinformation and declining trust in news. As AI becomes a primary news source, Galloni advocates for collaboration among media organizations to protect journalistic integrity and ensure accountability in this evolving landscape. |
AI literacy is now journalism’s strongest defence against disinformation AnewZ - July 20, 2026 In June 2026, the release of Claude Fable 5 showcased the dual-edged nature of AI in journalism, where powerful models enhance efficiency but also facilitate disinformation, threatening public trust. As the landscape evolves, journalists must prioritize AI literacy to navigate these challenges and harness technology responsibly against misinformation. |
Reuters top editor slams AI ‘plunder’ The rise of artificial intelligence poses significant challenges to the integrity of professional research, as AI can replicate and distribute content without proper attribution, raising concerns over intellectual property rights and plagiarism. It is essential for stakeholders to establish frameworks that protect creators and promote ethical AI usage to maintain quality in information dissemination. |
AI accountability reporting guide IMEdD Lab - July 20, 2026 The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has sparked critical investigations into its environmental impacts, labor exploitation in data preparation, and inherent biases. Journalists are uncovering the complexities behind AI development, focusing on the significant energy consumption of data centers and the often-overlooked plight of underpaid data labelers, particularly from the Global South. |
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AI and Academic Publishing
This week’s best articles, as chosen by HANA and our editors
A Scene from the AI Flooding of Academic Journals Daily Nous - news for & about the philosophy profession - July 20, 2026 Udo Schuklenk, in a recent editorial, critiques the Journal of Medical Ethics for publishing a flawed article with numerous fabricated references, highlighting the rise of machine-generated content submissions and the failure of editors to conduct thorough reference checks. He contrasts this with Wiley's Bioethics journal, which employs automated tools to prevent such issues, underscoring the urgent need for accountability in academic publishing amidst the challenges posed by AI-generated materials. |
Bloomsbury Finds a New Spell in AI Licensing Yahoo Finance - July 15, 2026 Bloomsbury Publishing maintains its optimistic full-year guidance with projected profits of £49.9 million, bolstered by AI licensing revenues and growth in its Academic division, despite a dip in share prices post-update. Investors are closely watching upcoming interim results for insights on the impact of AI deals, the performance of new Sarah J. Maas titles, and the potential boost from the forthcoming HBO Harry Potter TV series. |
Major book publishers sue Google over Gemini AI stealing millions of copyrighted works, argue tech giant will ‘weaken the incentive to create’ AmNewYork - July 14, 2026 Hachette Book Group, Cengage Learning, and Elsevier have sued Google over allegations that its AI system, Gemini, illegally used millions of copyrighted books and articles for training, threatening the literary industry by creating competitive substitutes. The lawsuit claims Google disregarded legal rights and internal warnings regarding copyright violations, highlighting a growing trend of publishers taking action against AI companies for similar infringements. |
AI now mediates a third of scholarly information discovery, study finds Research Information - July 16, 2026 A recent study titled "Taming the Crocodile" reveals that one-third of scholarly information discovery is now driven by AI, with many researchers unaware of its influence, leading to issues like requests for non-existent articles. The findings highlight the urgent need for publishers to adapt and enhance trust in AI outputs within the scholarly communication landscape. |
Around the Book World: Monday, July 20th, 2026 In his latest analysis, Carlo Carrenho explores how digital transformation is reshaping the publishing landscape, with a focus on e-books, audiobooks, and direct-to-consumer sales. He also highlights significant industry challenges such as supply chain disruptions and inflation, alongside a growing emphasis on diversity and inclusion in publishing. |
Collaborate globally to retain strength in AI research, UK urged Times Higher Education (THE) - July 20, 2026 The UK is urged to enhance international collaborations to sustain its leadership in AI research, with recent data showing it produces 26.7% of the world's most highly cited AI papers despite a declining share of global publications. UK Research and Innovation's £1.6 billion commitment highlights the nation's focus on high-quality, innovative research amidst rising competition from global superpowers like the US and China. |
AI Made Up a Science Term — Now It’s in Dozens of Papers Recent investigations reveal that scanning and translation errors during the digitization of research papers have led to significant inaccuracies in AI models, highlighting the urgent need for rigorous data validation in machine learning. This underscores the potential risks of relying on AI-generated content in scientific research, as flawed datasets can propagate misinformation. |
This newsletter was partly curated and summarised by AI agents, who can make mistakes. Check all important information. For any issues or inaccuracies, please notify us here
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