How automation can accelerate and improve reporting and reshape media business models is the focus of a new report released today by the International News Media Association (INMA).

“How Automated Journalism Is Shaping the Future of News Media” focuses on:

• Understanding automated journalism and why it matters.
• Making the case for automated news.
• Using robots for revenue.
• Six ways to get started.

Written by INMA Ideas Blog Editor Paula Felps, the INMA report asserts that newsrooms are learning to embrace automation, as fears that robots will take journalists’ jobs starts to wane.

Automation is now being seen as more of a tool and a companion to a writer’s work — not a competitor. The report suggests everyone can breathe a sigh of relief in understanding that, while robots are transforming the newsroom, they’re not here to replace humans. 

With more news media companies interested in using automation, Felps argues that question now becomes how to get started. In the report, she outlines the steps recommended by Cynthia DuBose, vice president of audience growth and content monetisation at McClatchy in the United States.

“How Automated Journalism Is Shaping the Future of News Media” investigates how recent years have brought forth excellent examples of how automation can accelerate and improve reporting with two big takeaways: 

• Automation is good for the bottom line.
• Automated journalism frees up time for, but does not replace, journalists.

Among the report’s case studies are the United Kingdom’s Reporters And Data and Robots (RADAR), NTM in Sweden, and Norway’s Bergens Tidende, Stavanger Aftenblad, and FVN. 

What the news industry can expect is that automated journalism will continue to shape media companies, the journalism they produce, and how that affects their business model. This new INMA report dives into why it matters, what it looks like, and how news media teams can get started.

“How Automated Journalism Is Shaping the Future of News Media” is available for free to INMA members and for purchase by non-members at INMA.org/reports.

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