Public accountability and regulatory expectations for AI in journalism: qualitative evidence from focus groups with Dutch citizens

Public accountability and regulatory expectations for AI in journalism: qualitative evidence from focus groups with Dutch citizens

Morosoli, S., Naudts, L., Cools, H., Venkatraj, K., Helberger, N. & Vreese, C.H. de

AI & Society, 2025

Abstract

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape society, its integration into journalism raises critical questions about transparency, accountability, and public trust. Existing AI regulations have largely been developed without meaningful public input, prompting concerns about whether current governance approaches adequately address societal expectations. This study investigates the expectations and concerns of Dutch citizens regarding mandatory AI disclosures in journalism through three focus groups (N = 21). We aimed for a broad sample of participants to ensure diversity in terms of age, gender, and education level. Key questions measured the main concerns about AI-generated content, why participants want to know if they are interacting with AI-generated content and which rights individuals would like to have in this context. The results reveal a preference for participatory regulatory processes and standardized transparency measures, such as the disclosure of sources. The results further underscore the wish to be able to hold news organizations and individual AI users accountable when regulations are breached. The findings can inform news professionals and regulators alike, for example, in the context of the implementation of the AI transparency obligations in the European AI Act.

RIS

TY  - GEN
AU  - Morosoli, S.
AU  - Naudts, L.
AU  - Cools, H.
AU  - Venkatraj, K.
AU  - Helberger, N.
AU  - Vreese, C.H. de
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025-09-04
T1  - Public accountability and regulatory expectations for AI in journalism: qualitative evidence from focus groups with Dutch citizens
JO  - AI & Society
DO  - https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-025-02591-5
AB  - As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape society, its integration into journalism raises critical questions about transparency, accountability, and public trust. Existing AI regulations have largely been developed without meaningful public input, prompting concerns about whether current governance approaches adequately address societal expectations. This study investigates the expectations and concerns of Dutch citizens regarding mandatory AI disclosures in journalism through three focus groups (N = 21). We aimed for a broad sample of participants to ensure diversity in terms of age, gender, and education level. Key questions measured the main concerns about AI-generated content, why participants want to know if they are interacting with AI-generated content and which rights individuals would like to have in this context. The results reveal a preference for participatory regulatory processes and standardized transparency measures, such as the disclosure of sources. The results further underscore the wish to be able to hold news organizations and individual AI users accountable when regulations are breached. The findings can inform news professionals and regulators alike, for example, in the context of the implementation of the AI transparency obligations in the European AI Act.
K1  - AI Regulation
K1  - Journalism
ER  -

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Bibtex

article{nokey,
	title = {Public accountability and regulatory expectations for AI in journalism: qualitative evidence from focus groups with Dutch citizens},
	author = {Morosoli, S. and Naudts, L. and Cools, H. and Venkatraj, K. and Helberger, N. and Vreese, C.H. de},
	doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-025-02591-5},
	year = {2025},
	date = {2025-09-04},
	journal = {AI & Society},
	abstract = {As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape society, its integration into journalism raises critical questions about transparency, accountability, and public trust. Existing AI regulations have largely been developed without meaningful public input, prompting concerns about whether current governance approaches adequately address societal expectations. This study investigates the expectations and concerns of Dutch citizens regarding mandatory AI disclosures in journalism through three focus groups (N = 21). We aimed for a broad sample of participants to ensure diversity in terms of age, gender, and education level. Key questions measured the main concerns about AI-generated content, why participants want to know if they are interacting with AI-generated content and which rights individuals would like to have in this context. The results reveal a preference for participatory regulatory processes and standardized transparency measures, such as the disclosure of sources. The results further underscore the wish to be able to hold news organizations and individual AI users accountable when regulations are breached. The findings can inform news professionals and regulators alike, for example, in the context of the implementation of the AI transparency obligations in the European AI Act.},
	keywords = {AI Regulation, Journalism},
}

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FutureNewsCorp, or how the AI Act changed the future of news

Helberger, N.

Computer Law & Security Review, vol. 52, num: 105915, 2024

Abstract

Inspired by scenario writing methods to foster discussion on the societal implications of technology and regulation, the paper develops a ‘legal fiction scenario’ to anticipate the impact of the proposed European AI Act and examine some of the regulatory choices made. The paper tells the story of FutureNewsCorp – the largest news media company in Europe in the year 2043. The story of FutureNewsCorp is used for a critical analysis of the most recent draft of the AI Act and here, in particular, of the role of standardisation bodies and the division of responsibility between providers of AI systems and their professional users. Using the scenario method, the paper demonstrates that regulations like the planned AI Act can result in a shift of the power to decide what responsible use of AI is - from regulators and editors to technology developers and standardisation bodies - and that in doing so it may contribute to changing the structure and workings of an entire sector.

RIS

TY  - JOUR
AU  - Helberger, N.
PY  - 2024
DA  - 2024-04-23
T1  - FutureNewsCorp, or how the AI Act changed the future of news
JO  - Computer Law & Security Review
VL  - 52
NV  - 105915
DO  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clsr.2023.105915
AB  - Inspired by scenario writing methods to foster discussion on the societal implications of technology and regulation, the paper develops a ‘legal fiction scenario’ to anticipate the impact of the proposed European AI Act and examine some of the regulatory choices made. The paper tells the story of FutureNewsCorp – the largest news media company in Europe in the year 2043. The story of FutureNewsCorp is used for a critical analysis of the most recent draft of the AI Act and here, in particular, of the role of standardisation bodies and the division of responsibility between providers of AI systems and their professional users. Using the scenario method, the paper demonstrates that regulations like the planned AI Act can result in a shift of the power to decide what responsible use of AI is - from regulators and editors to technology developers and standardisation bodies - and that in doing so it may contribute to changing the structure and workings of an entire sector.
K1  - AI Regulation
K1  - Journalism
ER  -

Save .RIS

Bibtex

Article{nokey,
	title = {FutureNewsCorp, or how the AI Act changed the future of news},
	author = {Helberger, N.},
	doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clsr.2023.105915},
	year = {2024},
	date = {2024-04-23},
	journal = {Computer Law & Security Review},
	volume = {52},
	number = {105915},
	abstract = {Inspired by scenario writing methods to foster discussion on the societal implications of technology and regulation, the paper develops a ‘legal fiction scenario’ to anticipate the impact of the proposed European AI Act and examine some of the regulatory choices made. The paper tells the story of FutureNewsCorp – the largest news media company in Europe in the year 2043. The story of FutureNewsCorp is used for a critical analysis of the most recent draft of the AI Act and here, in particular, of the role of standardisation bodies and the division of responsibility between providers of AI systems and their professional users. Using the scenario method, the paper demonstrates that regulations like the planned AI Act can result in a shift of the power to decide what responsible use of AI is - from regulators and editors to technology developers and standardisation bodies - and that in doing so it may contribute to changing the structure and workings of an entire sector.},
	keywords = {AI Regulation, Journalism},
}

Save .bib

Keyword: AI Regulation