Image used for illustrative purpose. Photo: File
News agencies must collaborate with tech giants and cater to young people's interests to ensure journalism remains the standard-bearer in distinguishing real news from fake news. In a digital-dominated world, media and cloud leaders concur that media and AI are more intertwined than ever, with people primarily consuming media through their phones. While some may predict the decline of traditional journalism in the face of video and AI-generated content, there will always be a demand for genuine journalism to set the standard for real news, unlike fake news, which is shared 70% more frequently, according to UAE officials.
“Journalism will always endure; it just needs to adapt,” said Michael Jabri-Pickett, Editor-in-Chief of Khaleej Times. “If done correctly, journalism will always be essential because it moderates content and verifies what is real and what isn’t. If someone spreads misinformation, it’s crucial to hold them accountable.” He emphasized that newsrooms worldwide should unite and cooperate with tech giants to moderate content and combat misinformation.
Another vital aspect for journalism's revival is engaging young people to shape credible content in an appealing manner. Newspapers are often perceived as a medium for older generations, but this doesn’t have to be the case. “To stay relevant, we must demonstrate our appeal to young people,” Jabri-Pickett noted. Recognizing that younger audiences prefer video content and a different approach to news, news outlets can present stories attractively to retain their interest. “You need to capture their attention quickly—keep it concise and to the point,” he advised, citing a 230-word news lead as an example.
“We can leverage new technologies to attract younger audiences while preserving our journalistic integrity,” he added, referencing Khaleej Times’ KT Plus, a social media platform that delivers news in short, entertaining video formats appealing to Gen Z and digital users. “You must acknowledge that your followers and viewers prefer news in various formats,” he concluded.
Dan Hu, regional president of Tencent Cloud International, highlighted that governments in China and the UAE are swiftly integrating AI into their communications. For example, Tencent recently launched an AI-based digital human named Khalifa with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. “Today, Khalifa is actively engaging with millions of Chinese tourists on Wii chat to promote the UAE; this is a prime example of generative AI in action to boost local industries,” he said.
Source link: https://www.khaleejtimes.com
