What are the drawbacks of relying too heavily on content creation tools for Journalism?

Content creation tools and platforms are becoming more popular and accessible for journalists who want to produce engaging and diverse stories. However, relying too heavily on these tools can also have some drawbacks that may affect the quality, credibility and ethics of journalism. In this article, we will explore some of the potential risks and challenges of using content creation tools for journalism, and how to avoid or mitigate them.

1 Accuracy and Verification

One of the main drawbacks of using content creation tools for journalism is that they may compromise the accuracy and verification of the information and sources. Some tools, such as artificial intelligence (AI) or natural language generation (NLG), can produce content based on data, algorithms or existing texts, but they may not be able to check the validity, reliability or context of the input. This can lead to errors, inconsistencies or biases in the output, which can damage the reputation and trustworthiness of the journalist and the outlet. Therefore, journalists should always use content creation tools with caution and scrutiny, and verify the facts and sources before publishing or broadcasting.

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Nasim Banaei

Media and Communications Expert
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Indeed, a vigilant journalist must remain attentive, always mindful of the potential for misinformation and diligently verifying facts through multiple checks. While digital tools can aid content production, it remains the journalist's responsibility to ensure information originates from reputable sources. Ultimately, the journalist's primary duty is to utilize tools to enhance efficiency while maintaining the integrity of sourced information.

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2 Originality and Plagiarism

Another drawback of using content creation tools for journalism is that they may affect the originality and plagiarism of the content. Some tools, such as content curation or aggregation platforms, can help journalists find and share relevant and timely content from various sources, but they may also create confusion or duplication among the audience. Some tools, such as content spinning or rewriting software, can help journalists rephrase or paraphrase existing content, but they may also violate the copyright or intellectual property rights of the original authors. Therefore, journalists should always use content creation tools with creativity and respect, and acknowledge and cite the sources properly.

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3 Ethics and Transparency

A third drawback of using content creation tools for journalism is that they may challenge the ethics and transparency of the journalistic practice. Some tools, such as deepfakes or synthetic media, can create realistic but fake images, videos or audio, that can manipulate or deceive the audience. Some tools, such as chatbots or virtual assistants, can interact with the audience or sources, but they may not disclose their identity or purpose. Therefore, journalists should always use content creation tools with integrity and responsibility, and disclose their methods and motives clearly.

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4 Skills and Competencies

A fourth drawback of using content creation tools for journalism is that they may require new skills and competencies from the journalists. Some tools, such as data visualization or multimedia production, can enhance the presentation and delivery of the content, but they may also demand technical or artistic skills that the journalists may not have. Some tools, such as analytics or feedback platforms, can improve the performance and engagement of the content, but they may also require analytical or communication skills that the journalists may not possess. Therefore, journalists should always use content creation tools with learning and development, and acquire or update their skills accordingly.

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Subramaniam (Subbu) Vincent

Director, Journalism and Media Ethics, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University
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With large language model-based chat assistants, one under-discussed topic is the probabilistic nature of generation machines. (We discussed this in a meeting at my ethics center even this morning! T/H to Computer Scientist and academic Ahmed Amer for bringing this up in another context.) Journalists need to keep in mind that LLM tools generating content are fundamentally probabilistic. They are optimizing around predictions for whether the generated text/picture/output will meet the user's need as inferred from the prompt. Even with augmentation, large language models have probabilistic variability. So understanding this and keeping it in mind is itself a useful skill. It keeps journalists on guard to review carefully.

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5 Costs and Risks

A fifth drawback of using content creation tools for journalism is that they may entail costs and risks for the journalists and the outlets. Some tools, such as cloud-based or subscription-based services, can offer convenience and flexibility for the content creation process, but they may also incur financial or operational costs that the journalists or the outlets may not afford. Some tools, such as social media or mobile platforms, can enable access and distribution of the content, but they may also expose security or privacy risks that the journalists or the outlets may not control. Therefore, journalists should always use content creation tools with planning and evaluation, and weigh the costs and benefits carefully.

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6 Balance and Diversity

A sixth drawback of using content creation tools for journalism is that they may influence the balance and diversity of the content and the audience. Some tools, such as algorithms or filters, can personalize or tailor the content to the preferences or interests of the audience, but they may also create echo chambers or filter bubbles that limit the exposure or understanding of different perspectives or issues. Some tools, such as automation or outsourcing, can reduce the workload or increase the productivity of the journalists, but they may also reduce the human or local input or involvement in the content creation process. Therefore, journalists should always use content creation tools with awareness and inclusion, and seek to balance and diversify their content and audience.

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Subramaniam (Subbu) Vincent

Director, Journalism and Media Ethics, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University
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Balance is a word that maps more to the tone and style of writing and presentation, not necessarily the content itself. For instance, we don't balance non-facts with facts, or unethical portrayal with ethical depiction. Balance is useful to represent diverse viewpoints in a legitimate dispute or controversy. Second, we have to remember why we need diversity. Diverse viewpoints are not an end in themselves as it sometimes seems. In any controversial topic, there is a risk of recycling merely disagreeing viewpoints of an accessible "elite". Diversity for reporters is a means to an end: authenticity and remedying the historical exclusion of voices and their agency. Journalists bring in genuine voices of people through a focus on diversity.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the drawbacks of relying too heavily on content creation tools for Journalism?

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1 Accuracy and Verification

2 Originality and Plagiarism

3 Ethics and Transparency

4 Skills and Competencies

5 Costs and Risks

6 Balance and Diversity

7 Here’s what else to consider

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