Jakarta, 16 September – In the ever-changing digital age, journalists play a pivotal role as gatekeepers of truth in democratic societies.

Dr. Tail Neilson, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer in Media and Major Coordinator for Journalism and Nonfiction Writing at Macquarie University, delivered an insightful lecture to our communication students at our Anggrek Campus on this topic where he emphasized how the role of journalism in reinforcing democratic values while examined how digital platforms have transformed news delivery and consumption.

(Photo Editor: Mufti Warits)

“The digital era provides valuable opportunities for journalism, including better access to information, a larger audience, and the ability for diverse voices to be heard. Nonetheless, he addressed the challenges of misinformation, media bias, and the growing role of algorithms in news reporting,” said Dr. Tail.

A significant highlight of the lecture was the open discussion on the question, “Can you trust Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated news?” The topic prompted an engaging debate among students, who expressed various perspectives on the trustworthiness of AI in journalism amidst the rise of AI and automation.

(Photo Editor: Mufti Warits)

One of the participants, Sila, expressed her skepticism by stating, “I don’t trust AI-generated news as much as news from human journalists. AI is not always unbiased because it relies on algorithms created by people, who may carry their own biases.” Despite these concerns, she acknowledged that AI tools like Grammarly help enhance journalistic writing.

Dr. Neilson underscored the necessity of an ongoing review of the rapid changes in digital platforms affecting journalism. He stressed that regular assessments are crucial to upholding the quality of journalism, preserving journalistic integrity, and safeguarding democratic values in an era increasingly influenced by AI.

(Photo Editor: Mufti Warits)

Finally, the lecture is one of the ways we ensure that our students can engage with thought-provoking ideas that enrich their studies. This wouldn’t be possible without the strong ties that have been nurtured by BINUS University and Macquarie University. We look forward to hosting more activities that nurture the minds of the future!

(Words by: Mita Adhisti/Editor: Hamzah Ramadhan)