Navigating the Evolving Media Landscape: A Reflection on AI’s Impact on Journalism
Navigating the New Media Landscape: A Reflection on the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association Awards Ceremony
Recently, I had the privilege of attending the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association’s annual awards ceremony, an event that brings together those dedicated to the craft of journalism. Among the inspiring speakers was Guy Tasaka from West Linn, who shared some sobering insights into the rapidly evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our media landscape.
The Rise of AI in News Reporting
Tasaka illuminated the ease with which generative AI tools can create news sites by scraping information from the internet. The idea that one can repurpose real journalistic work without ever leaving their home—whether it be a basement, kitchen table, or, yes, even a “burning cave in hell”—was alarming. As I listened, it struck me as grossly unfair.
Real journalists labor tirelessly, attending meetings, interviewing individuals, and distilling complex information into compelling narratives. Once this hard work is published, it suddenly becomes fodder for AI bots that collect and repackage it almost instantly. These bots never rest, leading to a proliferation of low-quality news that often masquerades as legitimate reporting.
The Erosion of Trust
We’ve seen the repercussions of this trend already. Sites filled with “ghost journalists” churn out clickbait that lacks the depth and understanding of professionally reported news. As I absorbed Tasaka’s words, I found myself rationalizing: Surely, people would discern the difference?
But moments later, it felt as if the algorithms had invaded my thoughts. My feed became inundated with AI-generated stories and images—some plausible, others riddled with exaggerations or outright fabrications. The hyperbolic headlines may entice clicks, but they often lead to a disappointing and shallow experience.
The Value of Authenticity
I once thought that my longstanding reliance on real photographs of actual events could be a unique selling point in this climate. But even that was called into question recently when an email from a person named Crusty popped up in my inbox. He inquired about an explosive incident I photographed in Clarkston, Washington, back in 1987, where pyrotechnicians accidentally detonated their entire inventory of fireworks ahead of a Fourth of July show.
Crusty wrote: “Me and about a dozen friends have been arguing for a week about this article. Is this AI or did this actually happen? Do you have any supporting proof either way?”
Yes, Crusty, it was real. I lived through that chaotic calamity and captured it on film—yes, film. But do I have “supporting proof” beyond my own memory? Perhaps only original slides that may never satisfy modern skeptics.
The incident is a reminder of the importance of context. While no one was injured, and the show was delayed only a day while officials scrambled for replacement fireworks, the ordeal was ever so real to those involved.
The Battle for Authenticity
As an experiment, I created an AI-generated image based on that chaotic moment long ago. While the original image carries the telltale marks of authenticity—the graininess of Ektachrome 100 slide film, an awkward composition, and motion blur—the AI version appeared too polished, too good to be true.
But here lies the question: Would anyone else notice the difference? And do they even care? If you’re under 30, would you even know what “slide film” refers to?
I suspect many wouldn’t. Yet, I hold out hope.
What Can We Learn?
Crusty’s inquiry serves as a valuable lesson for all of us. We must remain skeptical and diligent in vetting our sources, even as the tide of misinformation rises. And as readers, it’s vital to support local news produced by real people—professionals who are not just digital algorithms.
If you have doubts or simply want to discuss this changing landscape more, please feel free to reach out to me.
Chris Pietsch
Director of Photography and Multimedia
The Register-Guard
cpietsch@registerguard.com