Generative AI in African News Media

Trust Matsilele is Senior Lecturer of Journalism at Birmingham City University, UK, and a Research Fellow in the Communication Department at the University of South Africa.Lungile A. Tshuma is researcher in the Centre for Communication and Culture, Universidade Católica Portuguesa. Tshuma is also Senior Research Associate in the department of Communication and Media, University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

“As Generative AI permeates the everyday news-making practices, it is increasingly becoming important for journalism scholars and practitioners to understand the potential and pitfalls of such technology. This volume edited by former journalists-cum scholars, Trust and Lungile, presents real scenario case studies showing that despite the seemingly early promising signs of GAI, there are also inherent challenges we still need to factor in including access, costs and digital divides. These threaten GAI’s full integration into African newsrooms. Practitioners or journalism scholars and anyone seeking fresh insights on how GAI is reconfiguring practice, and ethics will find this book very useful.”Bruce Mutsvairo, Full Professor and Chair of Media, Politics & the Global South at Utrecht University“This edited collection offers a sophisticated exploration into the relationship between generative artificial intelligence (GAI) and the world of African news media. The volume dissects the diverse ways GAI is being integrated, localised, and critically assessed across the continent, resisting any simplistic, one-size-fits-all interpretation. By placing African experiences and viewpoints at its centre, this collection moves beyond simplistic theorisations of technological progress. Instead, it provides a rich and contextually sensitive understanding of the transformative potential and the very real challenges of GAI within the African news media landscape.”Sisanda Nkoala, Associate Professor in the University of the Western Cape’s Linguistics Department and joint Chair of the UWC Media Inclusion and Diversity Chair“Bold and incisive, this volume delivers a rigorously argued, continentally grounded analysis of generative AI’s disruptive impact on African journalism. It challenges Global North techno-centrism, spotlighting African journalists as active agents in shaping AI futures. Essential reading for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers engaging with media, ethics, and innovation.” Hayes Mawindi Mabweazara, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, UK"This groundbreaking edited collection illuminates how generative AI shapes and disrupts African journalism, blending theory with sharp case studies. The chapters – spanning countries in sub-Saharan Africa – celebrate and trouble the current fusion of emerging technology and mainstream journalism. Each contribution is meticulously researched, offering both clever perspectives and essential debates on news transformation, prospects, challenges and legal conundrums of AI's immersion in the business of news production and consumption. Filling quite a huge gap, this book is a stellar contribution that must inspire media professionals and scholars to embrace the future while at the same time honouring the integrity of journalistic practice."Chikezie E. Uzuegbunam, Deputy Head of the School of Journalism and Media Studies and Senior Lecturer, Rhodes University, South Africa“The book makes a very welcome contribution to the emerging field at the nexus of AI and news production. The different chapters in the book draw on a gamut of methodologies across different geographical contexts to weave a story of AI technologies whose contribution to news production is still emerging, and yet to be holistically understood. At a broad level, the chapters paint a picture of AI technologies that are, for better or for worse, transforming news production in some contexts of the continent. The book is a welcome contribution to the emerging field of AI and news prediction in selected African contexts. Being one of the first foundational books in this field, it will provide a much-needed scaffolding around which our understanding of AI in newsrooms will grow. In this regard, the book is a much-awaited addition to the field of journalism and AI.”Allen Munoriyarwa, Professor of Journalism, Walter Sisulu University

• Chapter 1- Generative AI in Africa: Transforming News, Practices, and Ethics by Trust Matsilele and Lungile A. Tshuma SECTION ONE GENERATIVE AI USE CASES IN AFRICAN JOURNALISM Chapter 2- Generative AI-powered Newsreaders in Zimbabwe: Prospects and Challenges by Mphathisi Ndlovu, Zenzele Ndebele and Imelda Duduzile Ndlovu Chapter 3- Generative AI’s Impact on News Production in South African and Zimbabwean Newsrooms by Mandla J. Radebe and Mbongeni J. Msimanga Chapter 4- The Promises and Perils of Technology: Embracing Generative AI in Emerging Economy in African Newsrooms by Vusumuzi Maphosa SECTION TWO GENERATIVE AI AND AFRICAN JOURNALISM: OWNERSHIP, ACCESS, AND PUBLIC TRUST Chapter 5- Who Owns the News? The Political Economy of AI Journalism in Africa by Job Mwaura Chapter 6- Generative AI and Journalism in Nigeria: Economic, Linguistic, and Infrastructural Realities in Peri-Urban Radio Stations in Nigeria by Itunu Bodunrin and Akinola Charles Adenitan Chapter 7- ‘With a little help from machines, it can never be trusted’: Readers’ Perceptions of AI Generated News by Trevor Hlungwani Chapter 8- Re-imagining the future of African journalism with generative artificial intelligence: a case of gamification in South African newspapers by Wishes Mututwa SECTION THREE GENERATIVE AI IN JOURNALISM: DESIGN, ETHICAL AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS Chapter 9- Ethical issues surrounding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in news production by Blessing Makwambeni and Rudo Patricia Makwambeni Chapter 10- Generative Artificial Intelligence, Journalism Practices and the Law in Zimbabwe by Pedzisai Ruhanya, Linda Mujuru, and Cynthia Nyahora Chapter 11- Generative AI in Investigative Journalism: A Human-Computer Interaction Perspective in Southern Africa by Millie Phiri and Sakhile Dube