Beyond Mainstream: The Future of Journalism in the AI Era and New Opportunities

Journalism is not a crime but a responsibility – Helen Thomas. The Alumni Office at IIE Rosebank College on August 6, 2025, hosted a thought-provoking journalism masterclass titled "Beyond Mainstream: The Future of Journalism in the AI Era and New Opportunities." IIE Rosebank College is the brand of The Independent Institute of Education. 

 The event brought together industry experts to explore the intersection of journalism and artificial intelligence (AI), and its implications for the future of the profession. Our esteemed guest speakers, Siyabonga Motha- head of news at Voice of Wits FM and show host at 702 radio station, Sandile Gumede a journalism lecturer at IIE Rosebank College Braamfontein Campus, and Mangaliso Maduna a journalism lecturer at IIE Rosebank College (Braamfontein Campus) and Reitumetse Makwea a journalism lecturer at IIE Rosebank College (Pretoria Campus), shared their insights on various aspects of this theme, sparking a lively discussion among attendees.

Siyabonga, who led the discussion on news values, emphasized the importance of maintaining journalistic integrity in the face of AI-driven content creation. He highlighted the need for journalists to uphold traditional news values such as accuracy, fairness, and transparency, even as AI-generated content becomes more prevalent. Siyabonga's presentation underscored the importance of human judgment in ensuring that news content remains credible and trustworthy.

Sandile’s presentation focused on the regulatory systems that need to be put in place to ensure AI functions with accountability in journalism. He stressed the importance of establishing clear guidelines and standards for AI-generated content, to prevent the spread of misinformation and maintain public trust in the media. Sandile's insights highlighted the need for a balanced approach, leveraging the benefits of AI while ensuring that it serves the public interest. He also touched on the importance of regulating podcast content, citing the recent controversy surrounding an Open Chats podcast that made unsubstantiated allegations about a particular community. This incident highlights the need for regulatory bodies like ICASA and BCCSA to establish clearer guidelines for podcast content.

Mangaliso and Reitumetse’s discussion on new opportunities arising from the emergence of AI in journalism was equally enlightening. He explored the potential for AI to enhance storytelling, improve research efficiency, and enable journalists to focus on more complex, investigative reporting. Mangaliso's presentation sparked a lively debate among attendees, who were keen to explore the possibilities of AI in journalism. However, the lack of regulation in podcast segments was a concern, as it can lead to the spread of misinformation and perpetuation of biases, ultimately reflecting poorly on AI.

The audience was engaged and interactive, raising thought-provoking questions about the impact of AI on employment in the journalism industry. Some attendees expressed concerns about the potential for AI to replace human journalists, while others saw opportunities for AI to augment human reporting.

The discussion also touched on the role of emotions in storytelling, with some attendees questioning whether AI can truly report stories with the same emotional depth as human journalists. The masterclass provided a valuable platform for industry professionals and students to explore the future of journalism in the AI era, and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. As the industry continues to evolve, it is crucial to address the regulatory gaps in podcasting and ensure that AI is developed and used in a responsible and accountable manner.