Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7107-9531

Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2026

Document Type

Problem/Project Report

Degree Type

MS

College

College of Creative Arts

Department

Reed College of Media

Committee Chair

Joseph Jones

Committee Member

Ashton Marra

Committee Member

Amy Cyphert

Abstract

This project addresses a critical gap in journalism reporting concerning the use of artificial intelligence (AI) when covering stories on marginalized communities. Partially as it relates to the bias that exists in artificial intelligence algorithms, and the lack of training that exists for the implementation of these tools. Journalists play a crucial role in providing accurate and fair information on marginalized communities, yet the implementation of AI presents a set of all new challenges and allows opportunities for more bias to make its way into news coverage. Existing resources for reporting focus more on ethics and less on how to accurately and fairly use AI in the newsroom. As a result, a grey area for journalists and newsrooms has occurred allowing interpretation of what best practices should be when using AI in reporting.

This is grounded in critical race theory and social shaping theory, this project looks at how the use of AI can affect the coverage of marginalized communities. It is guided by this research question: How might AI-driven tools in newsrooms perpetuate algorithmic bias, and what are the implications for coverage of Black communities?

In order to answer this question, the project uses a mixed qualitative approach that includes semi-structured interviews with journalists and AI researchers, a review of industry guidelines for ethics, and an analysis of articles produced by an AI reporter.

The main result of this research is a journalist focused reporting resource that was modeled after other toolkits that talk about race and AI separately. The toolkit provides plain language explanations of how AI and racism intersect, the implications that using AI can have on marginalized communities and things to consider when using AI to report on marginalized communities. This toolkit was designed for newsroom use, and it aims to be able to provide guidance for newsrooms to be able to accurately and fairly report on marginalized communities using AI.

By being able to connect the use of AI and journalism practices concerning marginalized communities, this project contributes to the industry being more responsible and informed in their media coverage which allows for them to be able to better support marginalized communities in the coverage when using AI.

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