The role of professional journalists in providing the public with reliable information has never been more important. But news organisations globally are facing pressing challenges as they confront rapid technological disruption and shifts in the way news is distributed and consumed. Today, more than 900 newsrooms from 106 countries unite to convey the message that fact-based journalism matters. The South China Morning Post is proud to be among them.
World News Day, led by the World Editors Forum, The Canadian Journalism Foundation and Project Kontinuum, highlights the essential role of professional journalists in delivering news that can be trusted. The campaign also allows the industry to reaffirm its commitment to reporting with integrity. This means substantiating facts, using dependable sources, seeking diverse perspectives and providing context. It is a search for the truth.
Journalists benefit society by seeking accuracy amid misinformation and disinformation, acting as a watchdog with social responsibility and ensuring communities are well informed.
Hong Kong’s media plays a vital role. By producing credible news stories, it can help people understand the issues as the city tackles a variety of challenges. The need for accurate information could not be greater when false information and the growing use of artificial intelligence are causing consumers to doubt the validity of the information they access.
But journalism is facing growing challenges. News organisations have had to embrace new technology and adapt to survive. They need to find a way to apply the latest tools while maintaining their integrity.
The rise of generative AI platforms has, to a substantial extent, been at the expense of media organisations. Much of the content recycled by the big tech companies concerned was produced by journalists. But the AI giants have used the material without consent, credit or payment. This is not acceptable. The intellectual property rights of media organisations must be recognised and fairly compensated.