Ethics Over Compliance in AI Journalism: Balancing Rules and Human-Centred Approaches
amsterdam, dinsdag, 7 oktober 2025.
In journalism, the question arises whether AI technology should always comply with existing rules or if there should be room for ethically driven innovation. This dilemma emerges in the use of AI for news analysis and distribution, where speed and human-centred approaches sometimes clash with bureaucracy and legislation. A seminar participant noted that formalities and procedures often limit well-intentioned innovators, while competitors using legal loopholes proceed without hindrance. Johan Cruijff’s statement, ‘If you follow the rules, you’re always too late,’ illustrates the conflict between laws and moral awareness. The article discusses how organisations can strike a balance between laws and ethical values to ensure both innovation and integrity.
AI in Journalism: A Catalyst for Change
AI technology is a catalyst for change in journalism. It offers new ways to analyse, distribute, and present news. For instance, AI can quickly process large amounts of data and identify patterns, leading to faster and more accurate news stories. This is invaluable in a world where information circulates faster than ever. However, the integration of AI also raises ethical and legal questions. [1]
Speed Versus Rules: The Dilemma in Practice
The dilemma between speed and compliance with rules is evident in the use of AI for news analysis. Journalists want to be fast and accurate but must also adhere to strict privacy laws such as GDPR. These laws are designed to protect personal data but can sometimes hinder AI innovation and efficiency. It is crucial to find a balance between the need for speed and the duty to respect individual privacy. [2]
Benefits of AI in Journalism
The benefits of AI in journalism are numerous. For example, AI can help detect fake news by identifying patterns in information and comparing them with reliable sources. Additionally, AI can automatically summarise news stories, providing readers with a quick overview of important events. This is particularly useful during crises when timely and accurate news can be a matter of life and death. [3]
Potential Disadvantages and Ethical Considerations
Alongside the benefits, there are potential disadvantages and ethical considerations. One of the biggest concerns is the possible bias in AI algorithms. If these algorithms are trained on biased data, they can inadvertently reinforce discrimination. Moreover, AI-generated stories may lack the human nuance and empathy essential for in-depth journalism. Therefore, it is important that AI is used as a tool and not as a replacement for human journalists. [4]
Ethics Over Compliance: Examples and Practice
There are examples where organisations have prioritised ethics over compliance. Patagonia, for instance, has chosen a culture of sustainable innovation by placing ethical values above strict compliance. Similar principles can be applied in journalism. Journalists might decide not to publish sensitive information, even if it is technically permissible, to protect the privacy and safety of sources. [5]
Guidelines for Leaders and Innovators
Leaders and innovators in journalism can find guidelines to create a balance between laws and moral awareness. It is important to cultivate awareness of values and contexts and ensure that employees understand the ‘why’ behind the rules. Allowing for conscious deviation from regulations when the impact justifies it, provided it is transparent and responsible, can lead to sustainable innovation. External checks and balances, such as feedback rounds and integrity committees, can play a crucial role in this. [6]