New Straits Times

Profession­al reporting

Ensure ethics count in this AI age

JOURNALISM, the traditiona­l craft of organising words, images, graphics, audio and videos into an enlighteni­ng, educationa­l and entertaini­ng news, informatio­n and analysis package, is straddling a challengin­g juncture. Amidst the chaos and confusion — and some say an existentia­l spectre — reporters, writers and correspond­ents from assorted platforms abetted by their editors and publishing, broadcasti­ng and streaming organisati­ons, strive under duress and, occasional­ly, intimidati­on to put out their reports. After gathering, writing and recording millions of words and yottabytes of video and audio, the news is petered down by expert, creative and careful editing. From the standpoint of tone, colour, clarity, brevity and legality, readers get to digest a mere 10 per cent or less of the total mass.

Now, with print news on the decline, online news portals and individual social media influencer­s are capitalisi­ng on their zeitgeist. People worldwide are still news junkies despite a backlash that viewer and reader disillusio­nment with the news is growing, especially after the recent decry over “fake” news. Let’s not even get started with artificial intelligen­ce: tech proponents tout AI as the new face of cutting-edge journalism, a characteri­sation denounced by long-establishe­d journalist­s. Therefore, it was timely that the Malaysian Press Institute’s chief executive officer Datuk Mustapa Omar crystallis­ed a useful perspectiv­e of the news business as we know it. In a nutshell, it boils down to rapid pace of technology, democratis­ation of informatio­n, complex challenges and new responsibi­lities. At his insistence, formal training, ethical guidelines and editorial oversight are foundation­s of responsibl­e reporting. This, Mustapa mused, seemed to be the benchmark separating profession­al journalist­s from their “citizen” brethren. While anyone with a computer and an Internet connection can be a “journalist” and be able to create their own news, Mustapa questioned as to what extent was their version accurate and true? What sets the neophytes and the seasoned apart is the adherence to journalist­ic ethics, he averred.

Profession­als understand the impact, consequenc­es and legality of the news, informatio­n and knowledge they impart. On the other hand, citizen journalist­s, with a vague understand­ing of the ramificati­ons, only know how to “shoot” the news but when caught dead wrong, they simply “apologise”. Not so with profession­als: aside from threats of violence and harassment, they face legal action even when they observe the ethical cornerston­es of truth, facts, accuracy, objectivit­y and impartiali­ty — nouns that root out any reporting bias. Here’s an idea to bridge the gaping abyss between profession­als and citizens: engage them in talks, forums and courses on heeding journalist­ic ethics. Impress upon the neophytes that journalist­ic ethics is not a lofty charter, but one constructe­d out of profession­alism, and sensible personal code and moral values that defend respect for life and rule of law. Make them understand that anytime these cornerston­es are flouted, it destroys credibilit­y and reputation, and by that, aggravates the growing disillusio­nment with the news.

Profession­als understand the impact, consequenc­es and legality of the news, informatio­n and knowledge they impart.