Public demands guardrails as AI threatens journalism’s trust and value

When National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) president Curtis LeGeyt opened the Future of Journalism track at NAB Show New York, he posed a question that has become central to the media’s survival: “How do we preserve, trust, and strengthen local journalism as emerging technologies redefine how news is produced, distributed, and consumed?”

A new nationwide poll from OnMessage Inc offered a stark answer: the public is worried, deeply so. The survey found that 82% of Americans are concerned about artificial intelligence in journalism, a sentiment cutting across political and demographic divides.

Three in four voters fear AI systems are already stealing or reproducing local news stories without permission, while 77% want laws making that practice illegal.

Only a quarter of respondents said they trust AI-generated news; more than two-thirds declared it untrustworthy. Tommy Binion, OnMessage’s senior vice president, said the findings underscore a clear message to policymakers: “The public wants protections for journalism and accountability for AI.”

At the conference, that concern resonated across the panel. NewsGuild-CWA President Jon Schleuss accused AI developers of “stealing content without valuing the work behind it,” arguing that Big Tech’s dominance over traffic and revenue has hollowed out the economic foundations of journalism. Hearst Television’s Nick Radziul offered a more measured view, noting that AI can be helpful for summarising local meetings or identifying underreported issues, but warned that misuse could erode hard-earned audience trust.

Advance executive Brad Silver said business models to license and compensate journalistic content are possible but hampered by an “unhealthy marketplace” tilted toward technology giants. Both he and Radziul urged regulatory intervention, echoing calls for legislative frameworks such as the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act to give newsrooms collective bargaining power.

The survey mirrors previous such exercises. Pew Research found that half of Americans expect AI to harm journalism over the next 20 years, while Ipsos reports that 83% do not trust AI companies to act responsibly and 72% lack faith in government oversight. European studies add to the alarm, warning that generative AI will accelerate disinformation through deepfakes and fabricated content, overwhelming already stretched verification systems.

Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative is current, with the earliest known publication date being October 21, 2025, aligning with the event’s timeline. The report is based on a press release from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content has not been republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. No earlier versions show different figures, dates, or quotes. The article includes updated data but does not recycle older material. No similar content has appeared more than 7 days earlier. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score.

Quotes check

Score:
10

Notes:
The direct quotes from NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt and OnMessage Senior Vice President Tommy Binion are unique to this report. No identical quotes appear in earlier material. The wording of the quotes matches the original sources. No online matches were found for these quotes, indicating they are potentially original or exclusive content.

Source reliability

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative originates from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), a reputable organisation. The report is published on Radio Ink, a recognised industry publication. The individuals mentioned, Curtis LeGeyt and Tommy Binion, are verifiable and hold positions within NAB and OnMessage Inc., respectively.

Plausability check

Score:
10

Notes:
The claims about public concern over AI’s role in journalism are supported by the OnMessage Inc. poll, with 82% of Americans expressing concern. The narrative aligns with broader research, such as a Pew survey indicating 50% of Americans expect AI to negatively affect the news landscape. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic. The structure focuses on the main claim without excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is formal and appropriate for a corporate or official report.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative is current, based on original quotes from reputable sources, and published by a reliable organisation. The claims are plausible and supported by recent research, with no signs of disinformation or recycled content.