Generative artificial intelligence and the transformation of journalism: Reconfiguring news production, media ethics, and communication patterns

Abstract Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a pivotal force transforming journalism, news production, and global communication systems. Tools such as ChatGPT, Sora, and Gemini now perform tasks traditionally reserved for human journalists, including drafting reports, summarizing data, and generating audiovisual narratives. This study investigates how generative AI reshapes newsroom operations, redefines ethical boundaries, and influences public communication patterns. Using a systematic qualitative synthesis of peer-reviewed literature, policy reports, and industry case studies published between 2020 and 2025, the paper identifies three interrelated developments: the automation of news production, the reconfiguration of ethical frameworks within media institutions, and the evolution of audience engagement through AI-mediated communication. Findings indicate that while AI enhances efficiency and productivity, it simultaneously challenges long-standing journalistic values such as transparency, accountability, and truth verification. The study concludes that generative AI has introduced a paradigm shift that demands the reevaluation of professional ethics, newsroom governance, and audience literacy. It further recommends interdisciplinary collaboration among technologists, media scholars, and regulators to ensure that AI-driven journalism remains credible, inclusive, and socially responsible. Key Words: Generative Artificial Intelligence, News Production, Media Ethics, Communication Patterns. About the Author * Tommy Kibera Kiilu, Ph.D., is a Lecturer in the Department of Communication, Media, Film and Theatre Studies at Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya. His research interests include artificial intelligence and journalism, media ethics, digital media transformation, media literacy, and corporate communication. JCMR Journal of Communication and Media Research, Vol. 18, No. 1, April 2026, pp. 1-15. © Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON). Article Citation Kiilu, T. K. (2026). Generative artificial intelligence and the transformation of journalism: Reconfiguring news production, media ethics, and communication patterns. Journal of Communication and Media Research, 18 (1): 1-15. Full Article Words: 7,492 Pages: 15 To access full article, click on download.