The objective of the VITraDes project is to make the use of AI in journalism more transparent and in this way add to trustworthy public interaction. To that end, the task group is establishing useful standards for labeling AI-generated material and developing academic resources for media professionals. The interdisciplinary effort brings together experts from law, journalism and ethics. Within the task, the researchers will examine existing legal arrangements and self-imposed dedication in journalism along with arrange workshops with reporters and other appropriate stakeholders. Structure on this, they will establish and examine curricula.
In addition, the research study team will examine how such self-regulatory methods by the media can also be adopted by online platforms. The objective is to establish a standard that is not only lawfully certified but also practical in journalistic practice. The job results should not just support the media sector but also form a basis for media self-regulation and regulative approaches at the national federal government level. Eventually, this must likewise strengthen rely on journalism and secure the public from false info.
Extensive proficiency and results from other jobs
Participating in the job on behalf of the Institute of Journalism (IJ) are Prof. Christina Elmer and research study assistant Lisa-Marie Eckardt, who are contributing their substantial expertise on the use of AI applications in journalism and arises from research study jobs on the issue of information adjustment. “Above all, this consists of two EU-funded tasks: In the ‘German-Austrian Digital Media Observatory,’ we are accountable for coordinating the German-language hub of the European fact-checking network EDMO, developing media literacy programs and analyzing the measures that platforms take against disinformation. In the ADAC.iO task, we are concentrating on campaigns by foreign stakeholders and analyzing their strategies and dissemination mechanisms,” states Teacher Christina Elmer. “In parallel, we can make use of findings from an algorithmic responsibility job in cooperation with the Department of Stats and from interdisciplinary courses with journalism, data and computer technology students,” adds Lisa-Marie Eckardt. IJ tasks such as “AI Media Medical Professional” (Prof. Holger Wormer) and the study “Journalism and Democracy” (Prof. Michael Steinbrecher) deliver further important insights.
The VITraDes job is led by Prof. Jessica Heesen from the International Center for Ethics in the Sciences and Humanities (IZEW) at the University of Tübingen. Prof. Ruth Janal from the University of Bayreuth is another job partner. In addition, a number of organizations are supporting the job as associated partners, consisting of the general public broadcasting company Bayerische Rundfunk (BR), CORRECTIV’s fact-checking community “Faktenforum”, the AI Hub of the broadcasting business Südwestdeutscher Rundfunk, Studio 47 and the Deutscher Journalisten-Verband (DJV), a company representing the interests of journalists in Germany.
About the financing campaign
The VITraDes task belongs to the new funding project “Recognizing, Comprehending and Counteracting Disinformation” of the Federal Ministry of Research Study, Innovation and Space. The campaign will initially money eleven research projects up until 2029 that intend to strengthen social and technological strength against digital disinformation. The initiative becomes part of “Digital. Secure. Sovereign.”, the Federal government’s research study structure program on IT security.
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