On June 6, 2025, the stunning Palazzo Coppini in Florence served as the backdrop for a vital symposium titled “Giornalismo: Onestà Intellettuale e Intelligenza Artificiale.” Simone Giometti, Secretary General of the Romualdo Del Bianco – Life Beyond Tourism Foundation, introduced the event with a historical perspective. He guided guests through Palazzo Coppini, recounting its rich history and offering a prelude to the symposium by emphasizing the connection between dialogue, knowledge, peace, and tourism. Organized by La Maremma delle Idee in collaboration with the Order of Journalists of Tuscany and the Foundation, the event brought together a panel of esteemed experts to explore the pressing challenges facing journalism in the age of artificial intelligence.
The event featured a notable lineup of panelists, each bringing unique insights and expertise: Elda Brogi: A distinguished media law expert, Brogi is a law professor at the University of Florence and serves as Vice Director of the Centre for Pluralism and Media Freedom at the European University Institute in Fiesole. With extensive experience advising the Italian and European Parliaments on media policies, she offered a legal perspective on the ethical implications of AI in journalism. Daniele Magrini: A professional journalist and communications graduate, Magrini has authored several investigations on digital innovation’s impact on information. He shared insights from his recent book, Il potere delle macchine sapienti, addressing the evolving relationship between generative AI and traditional journalism. Nicola Novelli: A seasoned journalist and political science graduate, Novelli is also a founding member of one of Italy’s first online newspapers, www.nove.firenze.it. As a current council member for the Order of Journalists, he contributed valuable viewpoints on the historical and current state of journalism.
Lucia Tozzi: Residing in Milan, Tozzi is an independent journalist and urban policy scholar. She has published critiques on urban transformations of her city and took part in discussions on the ethical responsibilities of journalists in light of rapid urbanization. Philip Willan: With over thirty years of experience in Italy, Willan is a journalist specializing in geopolitics and organized crime. His works have delved into complex issues such as terrorism and the intersection of media and politics, shedding light on broader implications for journalism. Moderating the event was Richard Harris, the founder of La Maremma delle Idee, who guided the discussion towards critical themes surrounding the future of journalism.
Nicola Novelli highlighted the significant challenges facing the Italian publishing market, pointing out a prolonged decline in readership observed over recent decades. He emphasized how local advertising revenue has increasingly shifted towards platforms like Google and Facebook, depriving traditional publishing groups of critical financial resources. Novelli discussed the role of artificial intelligence, arguing that it is not a threat, as it assists in analyzing vast data sets and reprocessing archival information. However, he expressed concerns about the negative impacts of social media, citing its involvement in significant events like Brexit and the amplification of fake news during the 2018 Macerata murder case (victim Pamela Mastropietro), which incorrectly sensationalized the crime with false narratives of cannibalism.
Whereas, during his talk, Daniele Magrini focused on the evolving relationship between technology and journalism, emphasizing the necessity of mastering machines rather than allowing ourselves to be controlled by them. He stated, “We must know how to use machines and not be used by them. If we can achieve this, we can effectively manage the phenomenon of AI.” Magrini noted a troubling trend where people now prioritize “my truth” over objective truth, leading to a fragmentation of public opinion. He expressed concern that technology increasingly instructs new generations, highlighting deficiencies in the current educational system. Discussing the pivotal role of journalists, he cited sociologist Shoshana Zuboff, known for her theory of “surveillance capitalism,” which posits that modern capitalism has evolved into a system where personal data is treated as a strategic raw material. Magrini underscored that the salvation of society depends on individual awareness, and journalists must cultivate this consciousness and encourage reflection among the public.
Lucia Tozzi actively participated in the discussions, frequently interrupting other panelists to share her critical views. Identifying as left-leaning, she focused on her hometown of Milan, criticizing its management and noting how the city has become more luxurious and unequal. Tozzi lamented that journalists who write critical articles or challenge the dominant political narrative often face job losses. Despite these challenges, she acknowledged that social media played a crucial role in her success, particularly with her book L’invenzione di Milano, which received a warm reception, especially from younger readers, despite initial reluctance from traditional publishers. Defining herself as a courageous writer rather than a journalist, Tozzi is unafraid to ask uncomfortable questions and criticize her city’s government. She highlighted the pressing issues facing journalists today, such as low pay, the necessity of seeking additional employment, and a decline in the quality of journalism.
The final speakers were Elda Brogi and Philip Willan, a contributor to The Times and The Guardian. Willan noted that in the past, media outlets tended to align closely with government narratives, resulting in a more combative style of journalism in England. He expressed concern over the declining credibility of politicians and the current crisis in democracy, citing the “war” on social media between figures like Trump and Musk. He also pointed out that in Italy, contemporary journalism tends to exaggerate issues rather than provide balanced reporting. Meanwhile, Elda Brogi focused on potential initiatives to improve the dire conditions of the media landscape. Acknowledging the absence of a definitive solution, she lamented the ongoing crisis in journalism and highlighted the research conducted at the European University Institute on media freedom and pluralism. Brogi identified numerous challenges faced by journalists, including inadequate pay, threats, and manipulation by political powers. She remarked humorously that “journalists need to be saved, more than pandas,” emphasizing the urgent need for systemic change.
The panel addressed several key themes crucial to the future of journalism, such as Balancing Influence and Integrity: The influence of publishers and the pressures from political entities on the practice of journalism were critically examined. Panelists discussed the delicate balance between editorial direction and journalistic integrity, emphasizing the need for independence in news reporting. Navigating Self-Censorship: The risk of self-censorship among journalists was a significant concern. As media professionals navigate a landscape fraught with potential backlash, the panel discussed strategies to uphold ethical standards while maintaining candid reporting. Artificial Intelligence’s Role: A central topic was the role of AI in journalism. Panelists debated the implications of this technology, noting both its potential benefits—such as efficiency in news gathering and content production—as well as significant ethical concerns surrounding accuracy and misinformation.
The discussion highlighted the necessity for journalists to adapt and evolve in response to both opportunities and challenges presented by technological advancements. Emphasizing the importance of ethics, panelists reaffirmed the journalist’s responsibility as a guardian of truth in a rapidly changing media landscape.
The event underscored the urgent need to reevaluate journalistic practices in light of technological innovations. By engaging with these challenging topics, participants were invited to rethink and adapt the ethical frameworks that guide their work. The exchanged insights during this symposium not only promoted a more thorough understanding of the impact of AI on journalism but also reaffirmed the profession’s enduring commitment to serving the public interest.
This symposium was a crucial reminder that as journalism continues to evolve, the principles of honesty, integrity, and accountability remain paramount in restoring public trust and ensuring a well-informed citizenry.
Photo credits: Joanna Longawa
Report by Joanna Longawa
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