Journalism under grave threat in the age of AI, disinformation
Bhubaneswar, Aug 19 (UNI) With the increasing role of social media and people’s participation in the communication process as well as with AI algorithms allowing billions of pieces of disinformation to be spread on the internet, the pertinent role of traditional media is to become a source of credible and reliable information to the public.
These pressing issues came under debate in a workshop titled “Disinformation & Misinformation in media: meeting the big challenge” organized here today by Odisha Journalists’ Union and Indian Journalists Union with Centre for International Union (CIU), Poland.
Verifying sources, doubts and triple checking facts and taking the neutral position while reporting is the gospel duty of every professional journalist.
In this regard the prevailing scenario in India does not differ from Europe. Moreover both are exposed to an emerging phenomenon of “foreign interference and manipulation of information” where autocratic regimes try to manipulate public opinion in democracies, speakers speaking on the occasion opined.
CIR president, prof at Warsaw university, Dr. Malgorzara Bonikowski gave a perspective of European journalism saying that “creditability of traditional media is key to fight disinformation in undemocratic societies”.
Participants in the workshop which included editors, senior journalists shared their concerns from an Indian perspective.
The Odisha Journalists’ Union, president Sashibhusan Praharaj, the Indian Journalist Union, Secretary General, vice president Sabina Inderjit speaking on the occasion said “the phenomenon of disinformation, fake news and TRP-oriented reporting should be countered with news-worthy ethical journalism.
Among others Shrikanta Rout, Deepak Kumar Nayak, Duryodhan Maharana, Rajkishore Tripathy also spoke on the occasion.
