What Independence Really Means for Indie Journalists
These indie info providers left their employers seeking independence, but then quickly rebuilt a new dependence on tech companies that might not be aligned with their values.
Our Work
Advancing independent media, an open internet, and informed policy through global research, dialogue and innovation.
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US Indie Info Providers: Professionally Diverse, Mission-driven, Sometimes Lonely, Rarely Earning Profit
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Who Pays for Local News in India
Issue Primers
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Journalists & Online Abuse
How can we better protect the press from online harassment and abuse?
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Journalists & Cyber Threats
How can we better ensure the digital security of the press and protect against cyber threats?
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Protecting an Open Internet
How can we discourage the development of ‘splinternets’ and encourage the protection of an open internet?
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Building News Relevance
How can the news media remain relevant, particularly with young audiences and underserved communities?
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Building News Economic Sustainability
How can public policy addressing economic support for news enable independent, competitive journalism without creating political or legacy bias?
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Addressing Disinformation
How can we ensure that mechanisms to stem disinformation aren’t used to restrict press independence or free speech?
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Addressing “Awful but Lawful” Content
How do we address online content that is “awful but lawful”?
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Synthetic Media & Deepfakes
How do we protect societies from synthetic media and “deepfakes”?
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Artificial Intelligence in Journalism
How do we enable the benefits and manage the harms of artificial intelligence in journalism?
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Modernizing Copyright Law
How can copyright law be modernized in a way that benefits independent, competitive journalism and an open internet?
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Enhancing Algorithmic Transparency
How can public policy enhance algorithmic transparency and accountability while protecting against political or commercial manipulation?
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Algorithms & Quality News
How can we ensure that algorithms identify and promote fact-based, independent journalism?
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Open Distribution of News
What are sustainable models for open distribution and consumption of news and information?
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Evolving Technology & Media
How will evolving technology and media formats change societal expectations for and relationships with news?
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Enhancing News Diversity
How can public policy enhance an open, innovative environment for a diverse press?
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We’re Hiring: Social Science Research Intern
The Center for News, Technology & Innovation (CNTI) is looking for a part-time research intern to support the Center’s work in encouraging independent, sustainable media, maintaining an open internet and fostering informed public policy conversations.
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Takeaways from the India AI Impact Summit
The scale of the India AI Summit has expanded significantly from the early global AI gatherings just a few years ago.
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Newsroom Policies for AI in Journalism
The third briefing from the AI and Journalism Research Working Group finds that organizational AI policies tend to prioritize principles and values over practical guidance.
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CNTI Ethical Principles and AI Policy
These are the four ethical principles guide all of CNTI’s work:
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The Hardware of Democracy: Upgrading Journalism’s Next Operating System
We are navigating a fundamental shift in how people consume and verify reality. The modern crisis of trust stems from an architecture that has outpaced our collective ability to process information…we now have the opportunity to serve as the engineers…
Quick Data Hits
54%
of journalists surveyed reported that their governments are exerting excessive control over their work.
Read full post: World Press Freedom Day 2025: About Half of Surveyed Journalists Report Their Government Seeks Too Much Control Over Their Journalism
22%
of U.S. adults regularly turn to individual content creators or influencers for news and information online our survey found.
Read full post: Americans who Rely on Content Creators or Influencers for News are Active Consumers who Value the Role of Journalism in Society
36%
of journalists surveyed said that AI will have a positive effect on enabling an informed public.
Read full post: What It Means to Do Journalism in the Age of AI: Journalist Views on Safety, Technology and Government
Policy Analysis & Other Research
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US Indie Info Providers: Professionally Diverse, Mission-driven, Sometimes Lonely, Rarely Earning Profit
A first look at the people shaping independent information in the United States — and the challenges keeping most of them from breaking even.
Media Attention
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AI Versus Accuracy? We’re Willing to Make the Trade-Off
When asking AI about the news, readers “know the answers they are getting are not perfect.” They keep asking anyway.
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People who use chatbots for news consider them unbiased and “good enough,” new study finds
Frequent users in the U.S. and India say they trust chatbots despite factual errors and outdated information.
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Journalism producers will (re)see their product as a business
To be successful, news information producers will need to conduct a smart market analysis to determine the demand, demographics, economics and startup costs to launch.
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Experts discuss impacts of AI on journalism’s future
“Technology can be seen as a threat, but now it has to be embraced,” Mitchell said. “You can use that technology to empower you and…
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Studies on AI transcription and translation in journalism reveal “low-resource” language gap, new report finds
A new report from the Center for News, Technology & Innovation (CNTI) reviewed over 55 studies to better understand the state of AI translation and transcription in journalism.
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AI, media and the future – focus of the regional gathering in Sarajevo
More than 30 media representatives from the Western Balkans and Central Europe and renowned experts presented.
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Who Is a ‘Journalist?’ An Evolving Definition
“Prior to the digital era, who was a journalist was largely defined by the small mix of news outlets available,” said Amy Mitchell.
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How Serbia could use EU Digital Services Act for state censorship
The implementation of the DSA in Serbia and other countries lacking an independent DSC risks becoming an EU-based tool for state repression, enabling ruling parties…
Announcements & Event Outtakes
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We’re Hiring: Social Science Research Intern
The Center for News, Technology & Innovation (CNTI) is looking for a part-time research intern to support the Center’s work in encouraging independent, sustainable media, maintaining an open internet and fostering informed public policy conversations.
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Takeaways from the India AI Impact Summit
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Be Prudent, Be Deliberative, Be Prepared
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CNTI Ethical Principles and AI Policy
Guest Essays
Opinions from experts working across journalism and technology.
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What Independence Really Means for Indie Journalists
These indie info providers left their employers seeking independence, but then quickly rebuilt a new dependence on tech companies that might not be aligned with their values.
-
Who Pays for Local News in India
-
The Hardware of Democracy: Upgrading Journalism’s Next Operating System
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Integrating Emerging Technology in Newsrooms Must Preserve Journalistic Agency
Digital safety for journalists must be addressed at multiple levels: by governments, technology companies, publishers, and researchers. Progress will require dedication and cooperation.”
— Amy Mitchell, Executive Director of CNTI