Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often presented in mainstream literature as one of the most disruptive and topical technological breakthroughs of our time. In creative industries such as journalism and media, AI is believed to have already started reshaping the foundations of its practice. In order to critically assess the extent to which AI has transformed journalism practice in selected Southern African newsrooms, this cross-country study sought to investigate the reconfiguration of journalism practice in Southern Africa in the context of AI. Theoretically, the study draws on Anthony Giddens’ structuration theory and Pierre Bourdieu’s field theory to analyse the complex interaction of technology, structure, agency and journalism practice. This qualitative study found that AI is slowly but noticeably reshaping the news value chain (gathering, production, audience engagement, and monetisation) through key informant interviews with managing editors, online editors, distribution managers, social media managers, marketing managers, and journalists in eight case newsrooms in Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Chatbots or generative AI platforms, image analysis, and ChatSonic tools are driving major transformations across the news value chain, while automated content-generating tools have yet to catch up in the race for AI among the surveyed newsrooms. It also showed that AI is reorganising news work and changing sustainability strategies and practices in Southern African newsrooms. The study demonstrates that some newsrooms particularly in South Africa have altered their strategies by developing their own open-source AI tools, recruiting specialised skills outside the journalism field to harness AI, moving towards tailored AI driven policies and partnering with civil society organisations (CSOs) in pursuit of training their personnel to be equipped with AI skills, at least the bare minimum. This transformation is characterised by structural tensions and a negotiated hybridisation. In essence, Southern African newsrooms are seeing new skills, new roles and new operational platforms enter the newsroom as AI adaptations gain momentum. Accordingly, the study recommends multi-party and multi-sectoral interaction to develop a regional AI ecosystem, including regulatory frameworks for journalism. To adapt to changing media dynamics, it is crucial to redefine responsibilities and skills in the newsroom and revise journalism curriculums in higher education institutions.
- The reconfiguration of journalism practice in the context of artificial intelligence : the case of Southern African newsrooms
- Hilary Mare
- Sarah Helen Chiumbu
- University of Johannesburg; Doctor of Philosophy (PHD)
- Doctor of Philosophy (PHD), University of Johannesburg
- 9963503807691
- University of Johannesburg
- Department of Communication and Media Studies; University of Johannesburg; Faculty of Humanities
- English
- Dissertation