Casablanca – A new global survey of journalists paints a picture of an industry trying to keep up with rapid change, where artificial intelligence is becoming both a tool and a growing source of concern.
Muck Rack’s 2026 State of Journalism report, based on responses from more than 1,000 journalists across a range of roles, including reporters, editors, producers, photojournalists, and newsroom managers, shows that disinformation and lack of funding remain the biggest challenges, each cited by 32% of respondents.
Anxiety around AI is rising fast. Concerns about unchecked AI use jumped to 26%, up from 18% last year, putting it on par with worries about public trust.
At the same time, AI is already deeply embedded in newsrooms. Around 82% of journalists say they now use some form of AI tool in their work. ChatGPT leads at 47%, while Google’s Gemini has grown sharply to 22%. Other tools like transcription software remain widely used, holding steady at 40%.
The shift is not just technical. It’s changing how journalists feel about their work.
Most still describe journalism as meaningful, with 65% choosing that word. But nearly half, 47%, say it feels exhausting, and 38% say it feels precarious. The job is still rewarding for many. Just not easy.
AI rises as social media influence shifts
While AI use climbs, reliance on social media for reporting is actually falling. Only 21% of journalists now say social platforms are very important to producing their work, down from 33% in 2024. Still, social media remains key for promotion, with 45% calling it very important.
There are also clear shifts in trust. LinkedIn stands out as the most trusted platform, with 58% of journalists saying it treats content fairly. TikTok is moving in the opposite direction, with distrust rising to 61%.
Safety concerns are also shaping behavior online. Nearly 59% of journalists say issues like harassment or reputation risks affect how they use social media professionally.
Despite all the disruption, the core workflow of journalism hasn’t disappeared. It’s just more stretched.
About 62% of journalists say their responsibilities have expanded beyond their original role. Many are doing more, often with limited time. While most say they can meet their standards at least sometimes, 15% say they rarely or never have enough time to do so.
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PR relationships continue to play a role in how stories are developed. Around 86% of journalists say at least some of their stories are inspired by PR pitches. But relevance is critical. A striking 88% say they immediately delete pitches that don’t match their coverage.
The findings point to a profession in transition, not collapse. AI is now part of the workflow, even as many journalists remain uneasy about how far it could go.
At the same time, traditional pressures haven’t eased. Funding is tight, trust is fragile, and workloads keep expanding. The result is a newsroom environment that is evolving quickly, but not necessarily becoming more stable.
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