Ofcom

AI: opportunity knocks for news?

If you thought that AI is not yet having an impact on news organisations, think again. As panellist and data journalism pioneer Gary Rogers reminded this absorbing RTS discussion, “AI: the new frontier for journalism”, the Press Association’s Radar service – which he set up – has been using machine learning to create news stories for the past five years. Radar says it generates around 150,000 stories utilising local data journalism each year for clients across the UK.

AI: The New Frontier for Journalism

An RTS session considering the innovations and potential challenges of AI in journalism. We heard from organisations that are already using AI to work more efficiently and deliver more of what their audiences want, and got an understanding of what regulators are doing around the world to ensure that the technology contributes to the industry positively.

Hosted by Symeon Brown, Channel 4 News correspondent and host of AI Watch.

Panel:

It's time to tone it down: Ofcom Chair Michael Grade on social discourse and online harms

I am proud and privileged to speak ­to you now as the Chair of Ofcom at an important moment in its history. Ofcom is gearing up for a new challenge. Under the ­Government’s Online Safety Bill, we will be given new powers to hold some of the world’s biggest and most powerful tech companies to account.

Our research shows that people are increasingly concerned about harmful online content – for themselves, and for their children. There is an urgent need for sensible, balanced rules that protect users from serious harm.

Ofcom CEO Melanie Dawes on the licence fee, privatising Channel 4 and Piers Morgan

At a time when many observers fear decisions on broadcasting matters, from the size (or existence) of the BBC licence fee to the possible priva­tisation of Channel 4, will be politically motivated, Ofcom Chief Executive Melanie Dawes was keen to stress her organisation’s independence – regardless of who is finally appointed Chair of the regulator or who had just been made culture secretary.

Channel 4: Stay public – or go private?

Few broadcasting controversies generate as much heat as the vexed topic of selling off Channel 4 – and so it proved at an engaging RTS debate held late last month, “Levelling up: How much could privatisation change Channel 4’s remit?”.

The remit has evolved over time. Since the 2003 Communications Act, the broadcaster’s remit has been largely voluntary. David Elstein, the former Thames, Sky and Channel 5 executive, provocatively claimed that the remit is nowadays “mostly mythical."

Melanie Dawes: Ofcom’s diversity champion

All eyes will be on ­Melanie Dawes when she speaks at the RTS Cambridge Convention in mid-September. The CEO of Ofcom for the past tumultuous 18 months was pre­ceded by the charismatic Sharon White – a star attraction at the conference whenever she spoke.

“Melanie Dawes is the most experienced and impressive Chief Executive that Ofcom has had,” opines an industry insider. And this will be the first opportunity most of her audience has had to hear her in person, thanks to the pandemic.