Letters | Future of journalism should be defined by humans standing behind facts

At a time when artificial intelligence can generate fluent language almost instantly, it is tempting to believe that the craft of journalism is being replaced by technology. Yet, as Terrell rightly points out, the true role of journalists has never simply been to write sentences. The public trusts us because trained professionals take responsibility for determining whether the information they publish is well sourced and, most importantly, accurate. That accountability – not the mechanical act of writing – is the foundation of credible reporting.

Generative AI may well assist journalists with drafting, summarising material or organising information. However, it cannot independently determine whether a claim is true, nor can it take responsibility for the consequences of misinformation. AI systems can produce statements that appear convincing but are unsupported or entirely fabricated. Without rigorous verification by experienced reporters and editors, such material risks entering the public record and misleading audiences.

This is why professional journalists remain indispensable. Verification, corroboration of sources and the careful checking of evidence are the core functions of the profession. These are precisely the processes that hold power to account. Governments, corporations and institutions must know that trained journalists are scrutinising their claims, examining the evidence and challenging inaccuracies. That role depends on professional judgement, ethical responsibility and public accountability – qualities that no automated system can replicate.

The point that “language generation can be automated, but responsibility cannot” is particularly compelling. The credibility of journalism does not rest on who typed the words, but on who verified the facts. In an era where information can be produced instantly and distributed widely, this responsibility becomes even more critical.

Indeed, the rise of AI arguably strengthens the case for professional journalism. When readers are surrounded by machine-generated summaries, automated feeds and algorithmic content, trusted news organisations become more important, not less. Their authority comes from the visible processes of verification, editorial oversight and ethical accountability that underpin their reporting.