The journalism industry was built on a foundation of ethical standards, fact-checking, and truthfulness. As a longtime media entrepreneur and Executive Board Member of Grupo Reforma, Rosa Laura Junco notes that media organizations have a duty to the public to deliver accurate and clear reporting with the community’s best interests in mind. But with the rise of social media and AI over the years, delivering unskewed journalism has become increasingly difficult.
This new technological environment has brought with it a completely unfamiliar journalistic landscape and a long list of questions. For instance, how have media outlets been adapting? What forms of journalism are audiences currently seeking? And how will the current format of reporting continue to evolve as AI becomes more a part of our everyday practices?
In the sections below, Rosa Laura Junco delivers several answers.
The Growth of AI and Social Media in the Twenty-First Century
AI and social media platforms have both contributed to a rise in modern-day misinformation. And while misinformation is certainly not new to the journalistic world, it has evolved in ways that were previously thought of as being unprecedented, says Rosa Laura Junco. (It doesn’t help that the public trust in media organizations is essentially at an all-time low.)
AI tools are increasingly being used to create fake reportage that seems real at first glance. This fake content has come in the form of audio and video clips, deepfakes, and articles, and it can all spread rapidly online through social media platforms. And with this content spreading at such an uncontrolled pace, it becomes even more difficult for newsrooms to sort through and verify what is real versus fake. That’s why fact-checked and trusted information is becoming more valuable than ever before.
Curated, Trusted Information Is Needed More Than Ever
The next question that must be answered, according to Rosa Laura Junco, is, “How do we ensure trusted and ethical journalistic practices remain prominent while adapting to AI?” The answer is that journalists must learn the proper ways to use AI while doubling down on the uniquely human skills that benefit in-person reporting.
For instance, it is perfectly fine to use AI as an outliner or administrative assistant of sorts. These tools are very adept and competent at delivering outlines for drafts or gathering information. But that doesn’t mean we can take the information they’re delivering at face value; all research compiled by AI platforms must still be fact-checked for accuracy.
Equally as important is our reliance on uniquely human skills as journalists. According to Rosa Laura Junco, meeting face-to-face to conduct interviews and build relationships with trusted, vetted sources cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence. If media outlets can continue to rely on these skills as the backbone of their newsrooms, it’s far more likely that trusted, vetted information will continue to make its way to the public.
AI Policies and How Journalism Can Evolve Beyond its Business Model
The news industry has always been willing to adapt. It adapted in the 19th century with the introduction of high-speed presses and daily circulation. It adapted to the evolution of radio, television, and the internet. And now it is adapting to the rise of AI and the dominance of news being circulated on social media. AI policies are a huge factor in this; they can ensure human oversight and impact, prevent fabricated journalism, and provide transparency to audiences. But another massive factor in this current adaptation, according to Rosa Laura Junco, is an evolution of the journalistic business model.
As mentioned, trust in news outlets is currently at an all-time low. To rebuild that trust and bring in a wider array of audiences, the industry is essentially reinventing itself. Audiences across the globe have mentioned that they are seeking reportage that is accurate, verified, transparent, and impartial. Younger audiences are seeking more variety in how reporting is delivered; they have particularly grown accustomed to video and audio reporting, with in-depth podcasts allowing them a moment to breathe with stories. So outlets are naturally delivering more of this style of reporting.
Another focus for media outlets in North America and beyond has been to provide audience-centric journalism. This means implementing community-driven approaches to reporting and more explanatory journalism. Complex topics like geopolitical matters and climate change require evidence-based reporting, deep dives into facts and statistics, and a distinct focus on offering solutions.
As Rosa Laura Junco notes, the present and future landscape of journalism is definitely shifting. But with the right policies and attitudes in place, newsrooms should be more than ready to adapt.
About Rosa Laura Junco
Rosa Laura Junco is a media entrepreneur with more than 16 years of experience in publishing. She has served as an Executive Board Member at Grupo Reforma, Mexico’s largest print media outlet, since 2008. Grupo Reforma publishes the leading newspapers in Mexico City (Reforma), Monterrey (El Norte), and Guadalajara (Mural). Since 2023, she has also served as an Executive Board Member at Casa Monarca Ayuda Humanitaria al Migrante, a migrant shelter and nonprofit organization, where she supports strategic governance, fundraising, and community engagement for vulnerable migrant populations. She holds a B.A. with honors in International Relations from Tecnológico de Monterrey.
DISCLAIMER: No part of the article was written by The Signal editorial staff.
