Iranian Journalists' Perceptions of AI in Journalism

This study investigates Iranian journalists’ perceptions of artificial intelligence in the future of journalism, focusing on its potential to enhance professional effectiveness, replace human roles, and affect the credibility of journalistic content. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 203 journalists from major national media outlets in Iran, using a structured questionnaire to collect demographic data and attitudinal measures. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression, and path analysis. Results reveal that demographic factors—including gender, age, educational attainment, years of professional experience, employment type, and media sector—do not significantly influence journalists’ views on AI’s utility, threat to employment, or content quality. Although minor trends were observed, such as slightly lower enthusiasm for AI among more experienced journalists, these associations were not statistically significant. The findings suggest a convergence of opinion across demographic groups, likely shaped by shared professional norms and exposure to industry discourse on technological change. This research contributes context-specific evidence from a non-Western media environment, offering insights for policymakers, newsroom managers, and journalism educators aiming to integrate AI ethically and effectively into journalistic practice.