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MediaMorph Edition 85 - by HANA News
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The written-by-a-human bit
If anyone in media and AI was hoping for a gentle start to the new working year, they will be sorely disappointed. Last year's challenges aren’t just back; they are accelerating.
Top of the list is the accelerating decline in organic search traffic as “answer engines” such as Google AI Overviews and Perplexity reduce the need to click through to the source, as reported by Nic Newman yesterday in The Reuters Institute’s excellent Journalism, media, and technology trends and predictions 2026
Reuters Institute
A chilling summary states, “Overall, we may see something of a barbell effect with human distinctiveness on one side and more automated approaches on the other. Those in the middle could find their audiences and revenues squeezed.”
Feasibly, we could see newsrooms being split into two, with human creatives pushing out personality-led video content in one department while the computational data-nerds pump out AI-generated stories elsewhere.
In fact, we are already seeing this as publishers incubate creator talent and lean into the creator economy. Worthy case studies include:
Wired: building best-known writers into “platform personalities”, spanning vertical video (TikTok/Instagram) and live events.
The New York Times: putting correspondents’ faces “front and centre” on the homepage (talent-forward presentation).
The Economist: showcasing key talent via podcasts and newsletters (moving away from a historically byline-light approach).
Washington Post: Ripple project allowing writers and independent substackers to publish content on the Post’s website
Daily Mail (DMG New Media): a ~60-person creator/design/video unit building audiences on social, launching vertical channels (entertainment/gaming/money), and monetising globally via sponsorships and branded content.
CNN Creators: a creator-style brand launching fully in 2026, backed by a purpose-built studio in Doha to enable collaborative/spontaneous content; focus areas include tech, art, sport, culture, and social trends.
As organic traffic continues to collapse, the final mile will matter more and more, as publishers look to build trust with their core audience. This means promoting the human brands, faces, personalities and characters to the fore, while AI does the grunt work in the background. The risk, of course, is that well-known faces, created by the publisher, will jump ship - see The Washington Post’s TikTok guy, Dave Jorgenson.
In short, to survive the new AI era, you need to be either the loud-mouthed video/podcast personality or the data computation nerd - don’t be the grey guy in the middle.
Our own AI software Hana has surfaced three must-reads this week (in my humble and unbiased opinion, Hana is far better at finding relevant and timely niche articles than Gemini or Perplexity). Check out The Wrap’s analysis of Business Insider’s AI strategy, UnHerd’s warning about the troubling local media landscape, and Vivica Dsouza’s interview with Hearst’s Tim O’Rourke.
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AI and Media and Journalism
After a Rocky Year, Newsrooms Push Deeper Into AI ($ paywall) TheWrap - January 7, 2026 Business Insider is piloting AI-generated stories under the "Business Insider AI News Desk" byline, focusing on quick topics while maintaining that human elements of journalism are irreplaceable. Amid staff layoffs and rising skepticism about AI's impact on news quality, media outlets like The New York Times are adopting AI tools to enhance reporting, balancing innovation with integrity. |
Influencers and AI will fill the void left by local journalism ($ paywall) UnHerd - January 8, 2026 The impending closure of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on May 3 underscores the ongoing decline of traditional journalism, which is increasingly replaced by biased influencers and unreliable AI-generated content. As trust in local news dwindles, the rise of "pink slime" outlets funded by dark money further complicates an already troubling media landscape. |
From Slack Bots to Story Tools: Hearst’s Tim O’Rourke on the future of AI in journalism Editor and Publisher - January 9, 2026 Tim O’Rourke, Hearst Newspapers' VP of Editorial Innovation and AI Strategy, highlights the critical balance between enhancing journalism with AI and maintaining trust, accuracy, and ethics in newsrooms. As AI evolves, he discusses opportunities for local outlets while emphasizing the need for responsible integration that upholds journalistic integrity. |
Public don't perceive how fast AI is reshaping journalism Euractiv - Europe faces an escalating battle against digital disinformation, which threatens public opinion and democratic integrity. A collaborative effort among governments, tech companies, and civil society is essential to enhance media literacy, implement regulatory frameworks, and ensure transparency, safeguarding truth and trust in information by 2025. |
Poynter and Hacks/Hackers partner to keep fast AI adoption aligned with journalism ethics Poynter - The Poynter Institute is launching ongoing programming focused on AI ethics and literacy for journalists, featuring dedicated tracks at the upcoming Hacks/Hackers' 2026 AI x Journalism Summit and the AI Real Talk event. This initiative aims to equip media professionals with essential knowledge and tools to navigate AI technology responsibly and ethically in their reporting. |
FAQ: How has journalism been transformed? Online Journalism Blog - January 10, 2026 The rise of AI in digital journalism has transformed story production and audience engagement while presenting challenges like misinformation and ethical dilemmas. As journalists adapt to new technologies and platforms, balancing the benefits of AI with the need for editorial independence remains crucial for maintaining trust and integrity in reporting. |
Latin America is falling behind in research on AI and disinformation, study finds LatAm Journalism Review by the Knight Center - January 9, 2026 A recent study highlights the alarming rise of AI-generated disinformation in Latin America, exemplified by a manipulated video involving former president Mauricio Macri during the October 2025 legislative elections. Despite an increase in global research on the intersection of AI and disinformation, regional studies remain scarce, prompting calls for stronger collaboration among Latin American researchers to address unique challenges and enhance visibility in this critical field. |
The Battle for Cognitive Liberty in the Age of Corporate AI Tech Policy Press - January 6, 2026 Courtney C. Radsch, PhD, warns that the integration of AI into daily life risks cognitive capture, undermining individual autonomy and freedom of thought as corporations prioritize profit over user well-being; recent incidents highlight the urgent need for legal protections against manipulation and surveillance by tech giants. As AI systems increasingly influence decision-making, safeguarding our mental privacy and fostering independent thought becomes critical in the face of rising corporate control. |
What Lenovo’s Qira means for media, brands, and the AI race The Media Copilot - January 9, 2026 At CES 2026, Lenovo unveiled Qira, a groundbreaking AI assistant designed to seamlessly integrate into its devices, acting as an "orchestrator of agents" for enhanced user experience while prioritizing privacy and user control. With a focus on partnerships and specialized functionality, Qira aims to redefine how users interact with technology, emphasizing a user-centric approach in an evolving media landscape. |
23 News Leaders Chosen for AI Journalism Lab: Leaders Cohort Cuny - The AI Journalism Labs at CUNY's Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, supported by Microsoft, are launching new initiatives to explore the intersection of AI and journalism. Participants will engage with experts, gain hands-on experience, and help shape best practices for ethical AI integration in reporting and storytelling. |
Researcher César Fieiras on the complex influence of AI in creative industries – The Creative Independent Explore the transformative impact of AI on media and creativity, as it reshapes audience behavior and professional roles while raising critical questions about cognitive delegation and misinformation. Discover how creators can thrive in an evolving landscape by balancing innovation with personal expression and ethical considerations. |
'How can we have the best of machines and the best of humans?' Nieman Reports - January 12, 2026 As AI reshapes news consumption, journalism must evolve by prioritising audience engagement and core skills like verification and questioning, while embracing the benefits of technology. The future lies in harmonising human creativity with AI efficiency to meet the public's information needs effectively. |
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AI and Academic Publishing
New report highlights the potential for artificial intelligence to accelerate the real-world impact of research Taylor & Francis Newsroom - January 8, 2026 A new report by HEPI and Taylor & Francis highlights the transformative potential of AI in enhancing translational research, emphasizing its ability to accelerate data analysis and improve interdisciplinary collaboration. However, it also underscores the need for ethical guidelines and responsible usage to address challenges like data quality and bias, ensuring that AI complements human expertise in translating scientific discoveries into real-world applications. |
Research Fraud and the Role of the LIS Community A recent study highlights the alarming rise of systemic scientific fraud, driven by paper mills and predatory journals, which threatens research integrity amid the growing prevalence of AI-generated content. The Royal Swedish Academy's Stockholm Declaration advocates for innovative open access models and improved fraud detection, while the Library and Information Science community emphasizes the critical role of information literacy in combating this trend. |
Weekend reads: Stages of academic ‘enshittification’; Alzheimer’s trial sites faking data, say drug developers; Retraction Watch - January 10, 2026 This week at Retraction Watch, key developments in academic integrity included a court ruling on university misconduct disclosures, the adoption of a pseudonym by an Iraqi researcher facing retractions, and the resignation of editors from a materials journal. With over 63,000 retractions now documented, discussions also highlighted concerns about AI in publishing, allegations of data falsification in Alzheimer’s trials, and the uncertain future of international research collaboration. |
After the PDF: A new unit of knowledge for the AI era Research Information - January 12, 2026 The scholarly publishing landscape is shifting from a reliance on PDFs to the innovative concept of "Knowledge Objects," which transform academic content into structured, machine-readable formats that enhance understanding and support AI-driven insights. This transition emphasizes the importance of context stewardship over content ownership, enabling researchers to navigate complex information more effectively and fostering a more coherent knowledge ecosystem. |
AI accelerates scientific publishing – but at what cost? AOb - January 7, 2026 A recent experiment by science journalist Stan van Pelt revealed the troubling ease of publishing fabricated research using AI tools, spotlighting the intense pressure on academics to publish for career advancement amidst declining quality and rising fraud in scientific literature. Experts like microbiologist Elisabeth Bik and professor Felienne Hermans emphasize the need for a shift in academic culture from quantity to quality, as reliance on AI complicates the pursuit of genuine scientific integrity. |
In Scientific Publishing, Who Should Foot the Bill? A federal crackdown on publication fees for publicly-funded research could pave the way for open access, enhancing transparency and collaboration among researchers while promoting alternative publishing models focused on accessibility. By mandating free access to research, the government could transform the landscape of academic publishing for the benefit of both authors and the public. |
After being falsely branded an AI plagiarist, how can I accuse students? Times Higher Education (THE) - January 9, 2026 Recent discussions emphasize the importance of a comprehensive educational approach for students to successfully navigate the complexities of artificial intelligence, highlighting technology as a tool for enhancing learning rather than facilitating cheating. Experts warn that traditional universities may soon face competition from innovative training methods employed by employers, while calls for new technologies to complement human expertise grow louder amidst economic challenges. |
Sage, Textbook Authors Settle Dispute Over Anthropic Settlement Guidance The Textbook & Academic Authors Association (TAAA) has filed a motion to address misleading emails sent to authors about copyright claims from Anthropic, aiming to clarify rights and protect authors from misinformation. This move underscores TAAA's commitment to transparency and safeguarding authors' intellectual property in a rapidly changing publishing environment. |
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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