This week, one news story looking at the latest unionization effort in Texas at the Fort Worth Report, and one commentary piece, written by Emma Bainbridge on encouraging student journalists’ critique of newsrooms’ uptake of generative artificial intelligence.

In our media round-up this issue: Associated Press leadership bullish on generative AI, Condé Nast sells queer publishing brand Them, a new publication focused on Palestine coverage, and Gayle King to stay at CBS.

—James Salanga

Texas could have its sixth unionized newsroom this month. Workers at the Fort Worth Report are set to vote on unionization on March 9 after management decided not to voluntarily recognize the Fort Worth Reporters Guild, a decision the union said it was “disappointed in.”

“We had hoped that management would recognize the value in strong workplace conditions to strengthen the longevity of our growing newsroom,” the union told The Objective via email. “Their refusal to do so highlights their depreciation of our journalists, the very backbone of the Fort Worth Report.”

Read the full story.

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As an early-career journalist constantly reading through job listings, the reporting jobs Emma Bainbridge comes across ask for knowledge of artificial intelligence (AI) tools more often than not — some going as far to recruit for positions with titles such as “AI-assisted reporter.”

“It makes me wonder whether I will reach a point where I have to choose between potentially landing a job or voicing criticisms of generative AI,” Bainbridge writes.

But ultimately, she argues, newsrooms seeking to build trust with audiences should be encouraging critical reflection on generative AI rather than putting down students hesitant to welcome it with open arms — especially when data shows readers aren’t sold on the technology’s promise. 

Read the full story.

🤖 “Resistance is futile,” AP leaders say re: the Cleveland Plain Dealer’s (and other newsrooms’) commitment to generative AI. Max Tani covered the divide between newsroom leadership and reporters on using artificial intelligence. Related: The Guardian updated AI usage editorial guidelines on Thursday. 

🏳‍🌈 Equalpride, the publisher behind The Advocate and Out, has acquired Them from Condé Nast a week after Equalpride announced layoffs. Related: Condé Nast merged progressive magazine Teen Vogue with Vogue.com last year, gutting its staff. 

✍ Sara Yasin is EIC of the brand-new digital publication The Key, produced by the Palestine Festival of Literature and focusing on in-depth analysis and reportage of Palestine. In a piece criticizing legacy media’s tendency towards “both sides” despite human rights organizations’ recognition of  genocide in Gaza, Yasin adds, “I’m not alone in those feelings and experiences: If you are an Arab, Muslim and especially if you are a Palestinian, you have to engage in conversations with your editors and peers ready to prove that you are, in fact, good at your job.”

📉 Gayle King will stay at CBS, while CBS Mornings executive producer Shawna Thomas is leaving. Staffing cuts are expected at CBS this spring as Bari Weiss plans on overhauling the network.

Have a story you think we should include in this section of next week’s newsletter? Let us know here or by responding to this email.

This issue is by James Salanga and Marlee Baldridge. Thanks for reading. We’ll have more for you next week.

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