Are new technologies a danger to freedom of the press and information? According to Reporters Without Borders, they are on their way to becoming one. In its 21st edition of the press freedom ranking, the non-governmental organization is concerned about the effects of the “sham industry”.
Midjourney, symbol of misinformation
The organization points in particular to the effects of artificial intelligence and recent disinformation campaigns, triggered for example by the fifth version of Midjourney, which made it possible to create false illustrations of Donald Trump in prison or Emmanuel Macron in scavenger. “The difference between what is true and what is false, what is real and what is artificial, facts and artifacts is blurring, jeopardizing the right to information”, concerns Reporters Without Borders.
In fact, cases of disinformation linked to artificial intelligence have multiplied in recent weeks. In addition to the excesses of Midjourney, some AIs now allow you to create fake interviews with personalities, living but also deceased.
“An arbitrary and census logic”
But artificial intelligence is not the only target of the press defense organization: Twitter, particularly since the arrival of Elon Musk, is also an explicit target of RSF. “Twitter owner Elon Musk, for his part, takes arbitrary and censorship logic to the extreme, proving that the platforms are quicksand for journalism.”
A few weeks ago, RSF had already rebelled against the billionaire’s practices after his decision to apply an automatic response in the form of “emoji poo” to any request from the press.
In addition to these specific sections, the organization issued its traditional ranking of countries that best respect press freedom in this period of “political, social and technological instability.” Norway maintains its first place for the seventh consecutive year. North Korea for its part once again finished in last place. France gains two positions in the ranking, going from position 26 to 24.
Source: BFM TV
