FACT - Framing Authority and Critical Transparency in AI-Mediated Journalism

The F.A.C.T. research project is part of the MSCA COFUND LEAD AI Postdoctoral Fellowship and is conducted by Dr Laurence Dierickx at the Department of Information Science and Media Studies. Combining journalism studies, information science, and philosophy, F.A.C.T. investigates how AI-mediated information environments influence source evaluation, editorial judgement, and professional trust. In particular, the project examines how AI-powered search engines and conversational systems are transforming the ways journalists access, verify, and validate information.

In particular, it investigates the circumstances in which  AI-powered search engines are considered legitimate and trustworthy sources of knowledge in journalistic settings, and how they acquire epistemic authority. Through comparative analyses of this new generation of search engines and empirical studies with professionals, the project aims to shed light on the opportunities, risks, and accountability issues associated with AI-enhanced knowledge production.

F.A.C.T. contributes to the ongoing debate on AI, trust and knowledge by supporting the development of critical AI literacy and responsible AI practices, thereby strengthening the ecosystem of responsible and trustworthy information in democratic societies.