Are deepfakes a threat to media authenticity?

June 3 2024

A new report gives some answers and, for the first time, the use of artificial intelligence in the media has been surveyed all over the world.

The Fritt Ord Foundation, the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford and the University of Bergen invite the public to the world-wide launch of the Reuters Digital News Report 2024 and the Norwegian report:

Monday, 17 June 2024, 08.30-10.00 a.m.
Uranienborgveien 2, Oslo

Fake images. On the left, a fake illustration of Pope Francis. On the right, a fake of presumptive US presidential candidate Donald Trump. Photos from NTB/Phil Holm and Faktisk.no
Fake images. On the left, a fake illustration of Pope Francis. On the right, a fake of presumptive US presidential candidate Donald Trump. Photos from NTB/Phil Holm and Faktisk.no

You can download the Norwegian report here
Bruksmønstre for digitale nyheter – 2024
The international report you can download here.
DNR 2024

The presentation in English can be read here
Craig Robertson DNR 2024 – NORWAY LAUNCH

There is a video here

To view it, you must first accept cookies. You can withdraw your consent at any time at the bottom left of our pages.

There is a video here

To view it, you must first accept cookies. You can withdraw your consent at any time at the bottom left of our pages.

There is a video here

To view it, you must first accept cookies. You can withdraw your consent at any time at the bottom left of our pages.

The effect of AI and the fear of deepfakes
War in Ukraine, war in the Middle East, the climate crisis and the US presidential election – regardless of topic, all those who read, watch and listen to news are faced with the increasingly more daunting task of distinguishing between reliable and unreliable information.
News arrives as fragmented news bites on social media, and as a constant stream from editor-curated media that is trying to keep abreast of developments. The advent of artificial intelligence has presented new opportunities, as well as novel problems for journalism, the media and news consumers. Many fear there will be a tsunami of “deepfakes” going forward – fake news in the form of images and videos on a level never before experienced.

New responses from 47 countries
A new report, the Reuters Digital News Report 2024, provides some answers about what impact this trend is having on news consumers. The report is the most comprehensive ever made on a world-wide basis, measuring news consumption in 47 countries.
“For the first time, we have asked Norwegian news consumers about AI and journalism. Their responses give us insight into a topic of interest from the perspective of the media and public information”, comments research fellow Janne Biedilæ Bjørgan at the University of Bergen.
Bjørgan will present the Norwegian results on 17 June.
How do Norwegians see the use of AI in journalism? Who is concerned about fake news? What is the status of confidence in media authenticity? What is important for the general public when they consider the credibility of sources?
We also host a debate and talk about how the Norwegian media deals with AI and confidence.

Programme:
Moderator: Professor Roy Krøvel, Oslo Met
Research fellow Craig Robertson, Reuters Institute, will present the international report.
Research Fellow Janne Biedilæ Bjørgan, the University of Bergen, will present the Norwegian results and the Norwegian version of the report

Panel discussion about AI and confidence:
Editor-in-chief Gunnar Stavrum, Nettavisen online newspaper
News editor Tone Tveøy Strøm-Gundersen, Aftenposten
News editor Olav Østrem, Faktisk

Fritt Ord has provided funding for the international report and worked with the Norwegian version.

Journalists who cover the launch: feel free to contact us to arrange 1-on-1 interviews with Bjørgan, Moe and Robertson.

News

See all
Mykhailo Tkach

Ukrainian, Georgian, Armenian, Russian and Belarusian journalists and media to receive five Free Media Awards for 2026

September 3 2026

This year’s prize laureates for the Free Media Awards from the Fritt Ord Foundation and Zeit Stiftung Bucerius are:
The investigative journalist Mykhailo Tkach from Ukraine
The investigative media outlet iFact from Georgia
The online media Factor TV from Armenia
The online media Verstka from Russia (in exile)
The journalist and media director Andrei Aliaksandrau from Belarus (imprisoned)

Fritt Ord's grants for master’s degrees

August 30 2026

Is your master’s project about freedom of expression, social debate or journalism? If so, you can apply for a student grant from the Fritt Ord Foundation.

The Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute 2026

August 18 2026

The rap duo Karpe has been awarded the Freedom of Expression Foundation Tribute for giving voice to the experiences of many young people from minority backgrounds. Through the language of rap, they are expanding the space for the expression of identity and belonging.

The 2025/26 Monitor survey

June 17 2026

The Fritt Ord Foundation and the Institute for Social Research (ISF) invite you to the launch of a report and a subsequent discussion on Monday, 8 June 2026, from 9.00 to 11.00 am, at Fritt Ord’s premises at Uranienborgveien 2 in Oslo.

Where do people draw the line when it comes to freedom of expression, and what do they believe to be the greatest threats to an informed debate at a time characterised by unrest, crises and international conflicts? Do they feel there is sufficient diversity of opinion and enough room for divergent viewpoints? And how do people assess access to truthful and relevant information in a media landscape featuring new formats, new voices and artificial intelligence?