The modern digital ecosystem presents unprecedented challenges with regard to information integrity. The spread of misinformation and hate speech through digital media puts global democracy at risk. “Without being able to guarantee the distribution of real and reliable information, we are jeopardizing democracy,” said Karen Kaiser, general counsel for the US news agency Associated Press. According to a UNESCO study, the majority of people are concerned about false information in their countries and its impact on future elections.
Digital platforms have been fundamental to the evolution of the journalistic environment, creating new opportunities, diversifying the market and serving as important mediators between news production and the public. In this context, artificial intelligence appears as both a tool and a challenge because, despite offering new possibilities for content production, it raises concerns about quality, originality and intellectual property in journalism.
“We need to understand that technological platforms have driven most of the advances in our sector over the last ten years. I am talking about interview transcription software and audience meters. As a result, journalism is now structurally dependent on big tech,” said Paula Miraglia, founder and general director of the Journalism and Technology Task Force Brasil.
Although these platforms contribute monetarily to the journalism industry, there are obstacles to approach in terms of openness and fairness in interactions with media outlets. Lack of clarity in financial support requirements, as well as a preference for collaborations with large media businesses, can deepen market discrepancies, adding to journalism’s reliance on platform-developed technologies, creating a structural vulnerability in the field.
Another relevant aspect is advertising, which is a source of funding for journalism. However, ethical integrity in the relation between editorial and advertising content is becoming increasingly crucial, especially in the face of the spread of misinformation and the influence of political interests.
The discussion took place during the G20 side event on Information Integrity, which occurred in São Paulo on April 30 and May 1, 2024, as part of the Digital Economy Working Group, with global multilateral discussions within the framework of the UN, UNESCO and the OECD.
