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AI slop is already invading Oregon’s local journalism

Dec 10, 2024 - opb.org
The article discusses the fraudulent revival of the Ashland Daily Tidings, a newspaper that ceased operations in 2023. After its closure, a website claiming to be the Daily Tidings emerged, using artificial intelligence and stolen identities, including that of U.K.-based journalist Joe Minihane, to produce content and deceive readers. This operation highlights the vulnerability of local news outlets to technological exploitation and the broader decline of local journalism due to economic pressures and the rise of digital platforms.

The piece also explores the challenges facing local journalism in Oregon, particularly in rural areas, as media ownership changes and job losses continue. Despite these challenges, efforts like Ashland.news, a nonprofit digital outlet, aim to preserve local journalism by focusing on community-driven stories and engagement. The article underscores the importance of human-verified information and the need for innovative models to sustain local news in the face of technological and economic shifts.

Key takeaways:

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  • The Ashland Daily Tidings, a historic newspaper, ceased operations in 2023, but a fraudulent website using its name emerged, publishing AI-generated content and using stolen identities of journalists.
  • The fraudulent website's operators used AI to rewrite real stories, aiming to generate ad revenue by deceiving readers into clicking on their content.
  • Local journalism in Oregon, particularly in rural areas, is facing significant challenges due to declining revenues, consolidation, and the rise of AI-generated content.
  • Efforts to preserve local journalism, such as Ashland.news, focus on community engagement and nonprofit models to provide well-reported local stories, despite the challenges posed by AI and digital platforms.
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