Newswork in the Age of Generative Artificial Intelligence: Insights from Zimbabwean Newsrooms

Peter Chiridza; Admire Mare

doi:10.1177/10776990261433908

Newswork in the Age of Generative Artificial Intelligence: Insights from Zimbabwean Newsrooms

Peter Chiridza
, Admire Mare

Communication and Media Studies

University of Johannesburg

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

The adoption of generative artificial intelligence (Gen-AI) in newsrooms has stirred discussions about its implications. This paper critically examines the adoption of Gen-AI tools by newsrooms in Zimbabwe. Through interviews with 30 journalists, this study demonstrates pragmatic adoption despite organizational ambivalence and limited resources. Journalists across mainstream and digital media start-ups are using Gen-AI tools to support news production. A key finding was that young journalists were more likely to use Gen-AI than their older counterparts. Respondents lamented Gen-AI’s lack of conscience, Western-centric content, and limited accommodation of African languages. They recommended investment in small language models and contextual awareness.

Original language	English
Journal	Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/10776990261433908
Publication status	Accepted/In press - 2026

Keywords

Zimbabwe
adoption
artificial intelligence
generative AI
journalism practice

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Communication

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10.1177/10776990261433908

Cite this

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Newswork in the Age of Generative Artificial Intelligence: Insights from Zimbabwean Newsrooms

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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