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MediaMorph Edition 74 - by HANA News
Why AI can’t have opinions
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The written-by-a-human bit
Growing up in Dorset, UK, in the 80s, my parents’ sole source of truth was The Daily Telegraph opinion section. Our kitchen was an echo chamber for W.F.Deedes, Charles Moore, then Peter Utley and Simon Heffer. My socially liberal instincts were put to the test daily. The debate was healthy and the disagreements agreeable. But the main reason my parents paid the cover and delivery price was to enjoy/endure these characters.
Outside of business, financial and market news, these characters are the primary driver of subscriptions. Take your pick today - Peggy Noonan, Kimberley Strassel and Johanna Stern (WSJ), Maureen Dowd, Gail Collins, Ezra Klein (NYT), Anne Applebaum (Atlantic), Polly Toynbee, Jonathan Freedland, George Monbiot (The Guardian), Gillian Tett, Martin Wolf, Janan Ganesh (FT), E.J.Dionne JR, Kathleen Parker, George F Will (Wahington Post). Or look to the Substack leaderboard: Heather Cox Richardson, Casey Newton, Matt Yglesias, Bari Weiss, Matt Taibbi.
Which brings us to a New York Post story today about outrage over an AI bot trained on legendary NYC columnist Jimmy Breslin’s voice. The “Jimmy” writing coach is available for $2.99 a month. “I thought that was in piss-poor taste,” said Jimmy’s son Kevin Breslin.
If anyone in media or publishing needs a clear red line, a redoubt to which they can retreat, then this is it.
AI answer engines may be great for speed, summaries, and convenience, but they will never have souls, hinterlands, anxieties, fallibility, or opinions. You can’t summarise an elegantly composed op-ed any more than you can summarise a Mozart symphony, a Monet or a Michelangelo.
If AI answer engines and legacy media are to find peaceful coexistence and synergies, AI must never, ever be allowed to have opinions. What AI can do very well, however, is to signpost, funnel and convert curious humans into paid subscribers on opinion pages.
So here is an idea - in return for caching and summarising news content, the LLMs and answer engines become very good at prospecting high-life-time-value converting traffic for opinion paywalls.
That might just work, in my opinion.
Mark Riley, CEO, Mathison AI
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AI and Journalism
Nieman Fellow Sotiris Sideris Stresses Partnership between Human Verification and AI in Data Journalism The Crimson - October 15, 2025 Nieman Fellow Sotiris Sideris stressed the crucial role of human fact-checking in journalism during his Harvard talk, warning against over-reliance on AI despite its efficiency in data analysis. He advocated for transparency and meticulous documentation of AI usage, emphasising that journalists must maintain accountability and critical thinking to avoid misleading narratives. |
Start spreading the news: AI has a place in media Editor and Publisher - October 14, 2025 Generative AI shows promise in enhancing productivity and streamlining operations across news organisations, but a lack of employee training limits its effectiveness. Initiatives like The Jersey Bee's AI-driven newsletters and Michigan Public's Minutes project illustrate how targeted use of AI can empower local journalism while fostering partnerships that bolster sustainability and impact. |
Why right-wing authoritarians share news Recent studies reveal how social media and the rise of AI in journalism are reshaping news consumption, highlighting a troubling trend where right-wing authoritarianism influences individuals to prioritise message alignment over truthfulness, while audiences express scepticism toward AI-generated content. Additionally, the significance of humour in comedic news programs is underscored as a means to enhance engagement and information retention, demonstrating the evolving landscape of media consumption and trust. |
How Non-Coding Journalists Can Build Web Scrapers With AI (Examples and Prompts Included) Data is essential in investigative journalism, empowering reporters to verify claims, uncover hidden insights, and reveal systemic issues. By leveraging data, journalists enhance their storytelling, bolster credibility, and drive social change through informed analysis. |
Jimmy Breslin's son outraged over AI-powered 'writing coach' that supposedly teaches legendary NYC columnist's one-of-a-kind style New York Post - October 13, 2025 The Journalistic Learning Initiative has launched an AI writing coach named "Jimmy," inspired by the late columnist Jimmy Breslin, prompting backlash from his family over concerns that it trivializes the craft of journalism. Kevin Breslin criticised the initiative for misrepresenting his father's meticulous writing style and undermining the effort required in true reporting. |
New Excellence in AI Safety Reporting Award Launched Yahoo Finance - October 14, 2025 The Canadian Journalism Foundation has launched the CJF Hinton Award for Excellence in AI Safety Reporting, honoring journalists who critically assess the safety implications of artificial intelligence. Named after Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton, the award offers a $10,000 prize and aims to enhance public understanding of AI safety challenges and solutions. |
We partnered with AI-powered answer engine Perplexity – here's why it matters for local news Bucks County Courier Times - October 13, 2025 The Bucks County Courier Times has teamed up with Perplexity, an AI-powered search engine, to enhance access to reliable local journalism by incorporating credible reporting into AI-curated answers. This partnership not only champions community stories but also creates new revenue streams to support journalists, showcasing a responsible collaboration model between publishers and AI companies. |
AI is coming for journalism, among other jobs. Enjoy us while you can Big Issue - October 20, 2025 Exploring the dual nature of AI's influence, the author reflects on its exciting yet concerning impact on various fields, from journalism to literature, while highlighting the irreplaceable human qualities that enrich storytelling. They question the implications of AI advancements on society and creativity, hinting at a future where wealth disparity may deepen amidst technological progress. |
MLSA holds new workshop on storytelling and generative AI for journalists and civil society Mlsaturkey - October 16, 2025 A recent workshop by ARTICLE 19 and the Media and Law Studies Association brought together journalists and civil society members to explore storytelling techniques and the implications of generative AI, featuring insights from journalist Gökçer Tahincioğlu on public-interest narratives and technology writer Ahmet Alphan Sabancı on the evolving role of AI in media. Participants engaged with various AI tools, discussing their potential benefits, copyright concerns, and the impact on professional workflows. |
Public use of generative AI grows, but trust and comfort with news applications remain low NewscastStudio - October 16, 2025 A 2025 global survey by the Reuters Institute and University of Oxford shows a significant increase in generative AI usage, with weekly use of tools like ChatGPT rising from 18% to 34%. While information-seeking is the primary application, trust in AI-generated content remains mixed, highlighting varying attitudes toward AI across different countries. |
We’re hiring! Apply to be our AI reporter TBIJ - October 14, 2025 The Bureau of Investigative Journalism is seeking an AI reporter for a 12-month FTC in London, offering a salary of £44,100 to £49,000. Ideal candidates should have a strong background in investigative journalism or AI reporting, with skills in storytelling and media law, and a passion for public-interest journalism. |
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AI and Academic Publishing
AI tools tackle paper mill fraud overwhelming peer review The surge in article submissions and rising fraudulent activities are straining journal peer review processes, leading to longer wait times and compromised review quality. Journals are attempting to address these challenges with stricter guidelines, but balancing high submission rates with rigorous evaluations remains a significant challenge in academic publishing. |
Low-quality and AI-generated papers ‘could overwhelm publishing’ A recent Cambridge University Press survey of over 3,000 researchers reveals significant concerns about AI tools like ChatGPT in academic writing, with worries about authorship, originality, and research quality. As calls for clear ethical guidelines grow, the findings highlight a crucial tension between embracing technological advancements and maintaining academic integrity. |
Frankfurt Book Fair 2025: Join us on Thursday in Frankfurt for a dynamic exploration of AI's transformative role in publishing, media, and content creation, featuring discussions led by industry leaders like Véronique Cardi and sessions on topics ranging from comic adaptations to women's leadership in the sector. Don't miss insightful talks on maintaining credibility amidst AI advancements and practical applications for publishers! |
Cambridge demands radical change in academic publishing Research Information - October 16, 2025 Cambridge University Press's new report "Publishing Futures" calls for a collective overhaul of academic publishing, highlighting the need for systemic change to tackle barriers like financial unsustainability and inequitable access. With insights from over 3,000 stakeholders, it emphasises collaboration among academics, funders, and publishers to prioritise quality and enhance equity in research dissemination. |
AI Created Junk About Telepathy, Aliens. An American Science Journal Published It. Forbes - October 20, 2025 A Dutch journalist created a fake paper on telepathy using ChatGPT, which was surprisingly published by an American medical journal, highlighting the growing threat of AI-generated research to academic integrity. This incident underscores concerns about the influx of low-quality papers undermining trust in scholarly publishing and complicating the discernment of credible information in scientific fields. |
Cambridge University Press says reform needed ‘to secure future of academic publishing’ Cambridge University Press has released a report calling for urgent reforms in academic publishing to enhance openness and sustainability, emphasising that while 86% of stakeholders support open access, only 32% believe the current system can tackle future challenges. Key issues include rising publication pressures, compromising peer review quality, and inequities faced by authors in low and middle-income countries. |
AI-powered fraud: Chinese paper mills are mass-producing fake academic research South China Morning Post - October 14, 2025 A recent CCTV investigation uncovered that Chinese paper mills are exploiting generative AI tools to churn out over 30 forged academic papers weekly, catering to the pressure-driven academic environment. These mills cleverly market their ghostwriting services under the guise of "academic support" on e-commerce and social media platforms, as they capitalise on the rise of affordable AI technology. |
The radical democratization of academic medicine STAT - October 17, 2025 Academic medicine is undergoing a transformative shift as public funding declines and alternative communication methods rise, allowing junior faculty and nontraditional scholars to influence the field significantly. Innovations like AI and new dissemination platforms are challenging traditional research models, urging universities to adapt their evaluation standards to recognize diverse contributions that reflect real-world impact, especially in areas like substance use disorders. |
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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