When looking to the future, and a future career in journalism, I find myself constantly asking the question ‘what should the journalism of the future look like?’, especially given the rise of digital journalism and constant developments in Artificial Intelligence.

A 2019 report from the University of Oxford sums up the state of journalism in our society, commenting that it is becoming more important but less robust. 

There is no denying that, although vital to any working democracy, the field of journalism is under constant threat, and is thus in constant need of reinvention. Arguably one of the most notable recent threats is the rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Owner of Politico Axel Springer recently voiced his own fears that journalists are at risk of being replaced by systems like ChatGPT, an AI chatbot released in November 2022. This statement came as Springer sought to begin transitioning to a “purely digital media company”, which is becoming the norm as the world continues to embrace digital and reject print.

In our digital age, ‘fake news’ is on the rise, as readers turn to platforms like Twitter to get on-the-ground commentary of events, leaving newspapers struggling to publish their own accounts fast enough to counter the unreliable tweets and posts. This issue is prevalent among younger generations, who are increasingly more likely to get their news from social media sources. A 2018 study found that less than 20% of U.S. teens reported reading a book, newspaper, or magazine daily, while more than 80% said they used social media every day, leaving young generations particularly susceptible to ‘fake news’.

Equally concerning is the recent decline in lifestyle and culture journalism as magazines designed to cater for a younger adults struggle to keep afloat as print sales decline and online advertising becomes one of their only income sources. Earlier this year, Paper Magazine, which became known for ‘breaking the internet’, announced it was laying off its editorial staff. Similarly, Vox media recently laid off 7% of its staff, Buzzfeed news has shut down, and Vice, once worth an estimated $5.7 bn, has recently announced that it is filing for bankruptcy.

What does this mean for the future of journalism?

Models such as the Guardian’s, which is kept afloat by endowments from its owner the Scott Trust, and donations from readers, can perhaps provide a model through which other media companies can stabilise themselves.

But surely it is the responsibility of good journalism to provide people with free access to reliable information.

Therefore, perhaps the key to maintaining journalism in the future is for it to plunge further into the depths of social media. Traditional newspapers and alternative media outlets alike should attempt to better understand the workings of social media, its trends and its algorithms, and develop social media accounts which cater to such trends, while simultaneously providing the invaluable news and commentary that they do already. An embrace of social media will attract younger generations, stabilising journalism’s place in future society.

Image credits: Solen Feyissa, Unsplash.