AI-generated content threatens photojournalisms authenticity

Sharjah 24: Veronique de Viguerie and Maria Mann discussed, during their participation in the International Photography Festival (Xposure), the challenges of maintaining truth in visual storytelling due to the rise of social media and AI-generated content. A panel discussion called “Challenging the Integrity of Truth” featured picture editors, photographers, and industry experts exploring issues of credibility, ethical dilemmas, and the impact of misinformation on photojournalism. The focus was on the evolving role of visual storytellers in preserving authenticity and integrity in imagery.

Veronique de Viguerie, a French photojournalist, talked about how AI could be a tool for checking information and the authenticity of some of the images. As a photojournalist, she believes that with the introduction of artificial intelligence, everybody can suddenly manipulate images easily.

She stated, during her interview with “Sharjah 24,” that pictures and news have been manipulated for a time, and with AI, manipulating images would be easier. She calls upon photographers to be very strict in dealing with image manipulation for it can be deceptive and misleading.

Maria Mann, Distinguished American Photojournalism Consultant, believes that there is no place for AI in the world of photography. The use of AI in altering images deceives everyone.

She added in her statements to “Sharjah 24” that photography and journalism should have gatekeepers at each step, starting from the photographer, then the editor, and then the media outlets. The final product shall reach the readers to interpret whether the information is true or false.