JOURNALISTS WORLDWIDE ARE EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY

Journalists around the world are increasingly turning to digital technology to help address daunting challenges such as the spread of misinformation and growing attacks on reporters, according to the International Center for Journalists’ 2019 survey of the State of Technology in Global Newsrooms. 

This unparalleled survey, conducted in 14 languages, is based on responses from more than 4,100 newsroom managers and journalists from 149 countries. The study updates and expands upon ICFJ’s pioneering 2017 report, which revealed that journalists were struggling at that time to keep pace with the digital revolution.

“There is a major shift afoot as news outlets come under attack digitally and physically,” said ICFJ President Joyce Barnathan. The findings show that newsrooms are embracing a range of digital tools to secure their communications and ensure the veracity of their information:

• More than two-thirds of journalists and newsrooms secure their communications while less than 50% did so two years ago. The percentage of North American newsrooms securing communications has doubled to 82% with Europe the leader at 92%.
• More than 50% of journalists surveyed say they regularly use digital tools to fact-check information.
• While only 11% used any kind of social media verification tools in 2017 that number has more than doubled this year. Currently, one-quarter of journalists say they use the tools at least weekly, and more than one-third of news managers report the same.
• One-third of news organizations have dedicated fact-checkers on staff. Additionally, 44% of newsrooms and 37% of journalists have engaged in more fact-checking activities over the past year.