From Newsrooms to Algorithms: Ethical Challenges of Journalism in the AI Age

Purpose: The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into journalism has fundamentally transformed news production, distribution, and consumption, marking a shift from traditional newsroom practices to algorithm driven systems. From automated content generation and data driven reporting to algorithmic news curation and audience analytics, AI technologies promise efficiency, speed, and scalability. However, this technological transition also raises profound ethical challenges for journalism as a democratic institution. Design/methodology/approach: This paper critically examines the ethical implications of AI in journalism, focusing on issues of accuracy, transparency, accountability, bias, editorial autonomy, and public trust. By situating AI driven journalism within established ethical frameworks and media ethics theories. Findings: This paper argues for the urgent need to reevaluate journalistic values in the AI age. Originality/value: It concludes by emphasizing the importance of human oversight, ethical by design technologies, and robust regulatory and institutional frameworks to ensure that journalism remains credible, inclusive, and socially responsible in an increasingly algorithmic media environment.