Journal of Development Communication And Applied Theatre

Artificial Intelligence (AI) invention and its application across different sectors have been acknowledged. The media industry is one of the beneficiaries of AI because it has brought more efficiency, leading to increase n production and distribution of contents. However, the use of AI in media has also presented some concerns. Therefore, the crux of this study was to examine the benefits and issues associated with the application of AI in newsgathering and reporting among Jos-based media practitioners. Situated within the Technology Acceptance Model, the study collected data from 159 journalists in Jos through the use of questionnaire and in-depth interviews. Availability method was utilised in the distribution of the questionnaire and conduct of the interviews. The study established a moderate application of AI by the journalists in their practice. Finding equally revealed that AI was important in in-depth and investigative reporting, creating room for fact-checking, increased production and data-driven reports. The study further found the challenges associated with the application of AI in media practice to include trust issues surrounding the quality of information given by AI, insufficient knowledge in the use of AI by some journalists. The study also revealed AI was negatively affecting creativity, among others. The study concluded that though AI has brought tremendous impact to media practice, although concerns about ethical application continue to worry media professionals. The study recommended among others the training and retraining of media professionals on the proper use of AI in media practice.

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