A coalition of independent newsrooms across Southeast Asia has launched a podcast series titled "Good As News," aiming to address the critical challenges facing journalism today. The initiative seeks to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) and changing audience behaviors threaten the integrity and relevance of news.
The pilot episode, "The Hidden News Crisis and How It Affects You," features prominent journalists from the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other countries, discussing the pressures of modern journalism, including shrinking attention spans and the rise of generative AI.
Collaboration in the Age of AI
Moderated by Rappler’s head of community, Pia Ranada, the first episode includes insights from key figures such as Glenda M. Gloria of Rappler, Tham Seen Hau from Malaysiakini, and Wahyu Dhyatmika of Tempo Digital. They highlight the increasing importance of collaboration between media outlets and tech platforms to ensure the survival of independent journalism.
Tham emphasized that the quality of journalism directly impacts the performance of AI technologies, advocating for accountability from tech companies. He stated, "The AI you use gets smarter because of the quality journalism newsrooms produce. Ultimately, AI platforms will have to compensate journalists."
The discussions underscore a pivotal moment for journalism, as it grapples with the dual threats of technological disruption and diminishing trust from the public. The podcast aims to encourage dialogue on how to navigate these challenges.
What challenges do you think journalism should confront next? Watch the episode, share your thoughts in the comments, and suggest topics for future discussions.
Rappler