AI makes human journalists more important than ever

"It sounds a little trite. But it's true. True whether we're putting a spotlight on a massive new xAI data center in Memphis or digging into the potential state takeover of our largest public school system or highlighting new restaurants and chefs doing amazing things or telling the stories of immigrants of all backgrounds who've made Memphis their home. It's true in the enterprise reporting we do."

"First, those are all the same kinds of stories that were most important to cities and towns many (many) years ago when I first got into local news. Technology - whether it's been the rise of the Web, social media, smartphones, or AI - hasn't erased that reality. Second, it's clear that facts, research, good writing, and a deep, first-hand knowledge of what people in our community want to know and read still matter immensely."

"Of course, new technologies have radically changed the way we produce and distribute the news. But that's not as new a phenomenon as some people would seem to believe. QuarkXPress, Photoshop, Netscape, Google, Facebook, iPhones, TikTok, and so many other technologies have all brought about massive change in this industry before the rise of AI. But in the end, none of those radical technologies have changed the fact that news organizations still need talented, hardworking journalists."

As The Daily Memphian reaches its eighth year, the most engaged and impactful stories remain those most relevant to local residents, including coverage of an xAI data center, potential state takeover of the public school system, restaurant and chef profiles, and immigrant experiences. Consistent enterprise reporting, quick briefs, and breaking news together contributed to more than 8,000 stories in the past year. Longstanding local priorities persist despite multiple technological shifts; facts, research, good writing, and first-hand community knowledge continue to matter. Sustaining that coverage requires skilled reporters, editors, photographers, digital producers, freelancers, and nearly 40 newsroom staff, and technology has changed production but not the need for journalists.

Read at Nieman Lab