What new challenges does journalism face? Insights from Dean Matthew Hibberd
Institutional Communication Service
Over the decades, the journalism profession has undergone significant changes, initially due to digital advancements and now due to the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Matthew Hibberd, Dean of the Faculty of Communication, Culture, and Society at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), discusses these topics and more in an interview featured in Corriere del Ticino.
Dean Matthew Hibberd began his analysis by discussing the current state of the Swiss media, stating that it is in good health as it "meets many of the country's democratic and commercial needs". The Dean also discussed the necessary characteristics of a media system in a direct democracy like Switzerland: "It is essential to rely on a high-quality and diversified media system that provides comprehensive information to the public and supports the free formation of public opinion. In this regard, I want to emphasise the importance of the relationship between private media and public service broadcasting in our country.".
Speaking about the challenges faced by journalism, the Dean noted how nowadays, "both internationally and in Switzerland, we face competition from large global technology platforms that capture significant portions of online advertising and public attention". This is also why being a journalist has become an increasingly complex job: "Job opportunities in some areas, including journalism, are challenging due to increased outsourcing and the growing use of technology, including artificial intelligence".
However, a way forward for those wishing to pursue a career in this field is far from utopian. According to Dean Hibberd, journalism can regain its space and relevance provided it "regains awareness of its historical role not only to report but also to investigate and comment on current news and affairs".
A good journalist should, therefore, act as a mediator, able to help the public navigate the multitude of information that is not always accurate and available on the net. This role is all the more crucial in the age of AI, a tool that is as useful as - as the Dean points out - potentially dangerous if used to spread false information. The Dean believes that the issue of disinformation is still not receiving the attention it deserves: "Fake news and disinformation, particularly when propagated by state actors, pose a significant threat to social democratic life and culture. Unfortunately, there currently appears to be a lack of coordinated international efforts to address this issue. Addressing fake news requires stronger measures from both industry and authorities, alongside a united effort to digitally educate all citizens. This education will equip individuals to identify and understand the risks associated with misinformation".
Universities play a key role in this process, as explained by the Dean: "The role of universities is to teach and research, increasing our knowledge of the scientific, artistic and humanistic world, basically in line with the ancient traditions of the Enlightenment". In this respect, the Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society adopts an interdisciplinary approach, which is also favoured by the accessibility of the professors, who have direct contact with the students. "Within the Faculty, there are experts from numerous fields, including artificial intelligence, tourism and fashion, climate change, marketing and consumer behaviour, digital change and technologies, argumentation and dialogue, public policy and Italian cultural and linguistic development," Prof. Hibberd concluded.
The full interview, edited by Corriere del Ticino's chief editor Paolo Galli, is available at the following link.
