From Newsrooms to Algorithms: The Unfortunate Tale of Local Papers and AI

In a disconcerting twist in the challenging trajectory of modern journalism, Wired has shed light on a troubling trend: iconic alt-weeklies such as LA Weekly and The Village Voice are now awash with an influx of eerily similar listicles promoting porn models. These articles are almost certainly the work of artificial intelligence, yet they are being presented to readers as genuine editorial content. The implications of this are unsettling, as it exemplifies how publishers are manipulating the revered reputations of esteemed journals to push subpar AI-generated material.

The Village Voice, a New York-based publication, epitomizes the tumultuous nature of the publishing industry. Having ceased operations in 2017, only to be revived in 2021, the Voice has seen it all. Recently, it introduced a new content category: “OnlyFans.” The introduction of this category raises eyebrows as none of the articles disclose their AI origins, misleading readers into thinking they’re consuming traditional journalistic content. Their cousin publication on the West Coast, LA Weekly, owned by the same parent company, has also followed suit, featuring an OnlyFans tab brimming with similar content.

The articles on both sites predominantly bear the byline of Daniela LaFave, an Austin-based SEO expert. When approached by Wired, LaFave refrained from confirming whether AI was used in crafting these articles. Meanwhile, RC Baker, the sole remaining editorial staffer at the Voice, distanced himself from these pieces, stating his responsibility is limited to news and cultural reporting out of New York City. This scenario highlights a worrying trend: the displacement of genuine journalism by AI for the sake of expediency and profit.

The hollowing out of esteemed publications in favor of AI-generated content mills has been a gradual but persistent process. If the cases of The Village Voice and LA Weekly are anything to go by, we should brace for more aggressive and widespread adoption of such practices. Ali Shahriyari, CTO of Reality Defender, an AI detection firm, remarked that we are witnessing a significant transformation where traditional media outlets are being reborn as purveyors of AI-generated content.

This shift casts a shadow over the future of journalism. As AI continues to permeate various sectors, the integrity and trustworthiness of journalistic outlets are at risk. If publishers increasingly prioritize AI-generated content over human-authored reporting, the very essence of journalism could be compromised, leaving readers with content that lacks depth, authenticity, and the human touch that is intrinsic to compelling storytelling. The ongoing saga of these alt-weeklies serves as a cautionary tale, underscoring the need to safeguard the integrity of journalism in the digital age.