January 2025
Tinius Digest
Tinius Digest reports on changes, trends and developments within the media business at large. These are our key findings from last month. Share the report with colleagues and friends, and use the content in presentations or meetings.
About Tinius Digest
Tinius Digest report on changes, trends and developments within the media business at large. These are our key findings from last month.
Share the report with colleagues and friends, and use the content in presentations or meetings.
Content
- Record number of journalists jailed worldwide in 2024
- AI and streaming drive the media landscape in 2025
- The rise of the intention economy in AI
- TikTok's algorithm suppresses critical content about China
- Russian propaganda campaign exploited Meta's ad system despite sanctions
- AI and digitalisation will create job growth towards 2030
- Lack of transparency in AI tools threatens media integrity
Record number of journalists jailed worldwide in 2024
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has published a report highlighting a record-breaking year for journalist imprisonments worldwide.
Key findings
1
Record levels of journalist imprisonment
As of December 1, 2024, at least 361 journalists are imprisoned worldwide. This is the second-highest number recorded by the CPJ, following the peak of 370 in 2022. In 2024, more than 100 new arrests have been documented, with notable cases occurring in China, Israel, Tunisia, and Azerbaijan.
2
China, Israel, and Myanmar lead in jailing journalists
China continues to be the leading jailer of journalists, with 50 imprisoned, many of whom have been charged under ambiguous anti-state laws. For the first time, Israel ranks second, detaining 43 Palestinian journalists—twice the number from the previous year—primarily under administrative detention. Myanmar follows in third place, with 35 journalists currently held, all of whom were arrested following the military coup in 2021.
3
Broad use of anti-state charges to suppress journalism
Over 60 per cent of imprisoned journalists have been accused of violating anti-state laws, such as terrorism, extremism, and incitement. Many were incarcerated for reporting on political unrest, ethnic conflicts, or corruption. In countries like Russia, Belarus, Myanmar, and Turkey, authorities specifically targeted reporters covering opposition movements.
4
Harsh sentences and indefinite detentions
Numerous journalists encountered lengthy prison sentences; at least ten received life sentences, and one was sentenced to death. Some have been detained indefinitely without trial, including Egyptian-British blogger Alaa Abdelfattah and Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai, who has been held without sentencing since 2020.
5
Ethnic and minority journalists disproportionately targeted
Ethnic minority journalists are overrepresented among detainees. In China, nearly half of imprisoned journalists are Uyghurs. In Israel, all detained journalists are Palestinians. Kurdish journalists in Turkey, Iraq, and Iran also frequently face arrests.
AI and streaming drive the media landscape in 2025
The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford has examined key trends and predictions for journalism, media, and technology in 2025.
Key findings
1
AI is transforming content creation and distribution
Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly central to media production, encompassing automated content creation and personalised recommendations. AI-powered tools enhance efficiency and enable companies to provide highly targeted experiences.
2
Streaming platforms face pressure to adapt
Due to increasing competition and economic uncertainty, streaming services are adopting hybrid models, which include ad-supported tiers and bundling strategies. Subscriber growth is slowing, prompting platforms to prioritise retention and profitability.
3
Consumers demand authenticity and control
Audiences are increasingly seeking authentic content and greater control over their digital experiences. There is a rising demand for user-generated content, interactive formats, and transparency in AI-driven recommendations.
4
Advertising is evolving with data and AI
Advertisers use AI and first-party data to comply with privacy regulations and deliver more personalised ads. Key trends shaping digital advertising strategies include contextual targeting and creative automation.
5
The creator economy continues to expand
Independent creators and influencers are gaining influence, driven by direct monetisation models such as subscriptions, tipping, and brand collaborations. Platforms are investing in tools to support this shift and attract top talent.
The rise of the intention economy in AI
Researchers from the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (LCFI) have published a study in the Harvard Data Science Review.
The study explores how generative AI and large language models (LLMs) create a new 'intention economy,' where user motivations—rather than merely capturing attention—are becoming a valuable commodity for tech companies.
Key findings
1
From attention to intention: a new marketplace for user data
The report indicates that the AI-driven economy is shifting from capturing attention to monetising user intent. LLMs can infer, shape, and influence human motivations through personalised interactions, creating a robust new data market.
2
AI assistants as gatekeepers of decision-making
Tech companies like Microsoft, OpenAI, and Apple are incorporating LLMs into everyday applications, establishing AI assistants as the primary point of contact for information retrieval. This enables platforms to gather and shape user intent on a large scale.
3
The risk of large-scale automated persuasion
AI-driven recommendation and personalisation systems can subtly influence users towards specific outcomes, from product selections to political beliefs. The report cautions that such systems could be misused for mass manipulation, echoing earlier concerns about social media algorithms.
4
Data partnerships accelerate intent commodification
Companies actively seek datasets that capture human intent, including detailed behavioural, conversational, and emotional data. OpenAI's partnerships with media companies like Dotdash Meredith aim to refine AI-driven ad targeting by analysing user motivations.
5
Ethical and regulatory challenges ahead
The increasing influence of AI on predicting and shaping user behaviour presents serious issues for democracy, privacy, and free will. The report emphasises the need for immediate policy discussions regarding AI's impact on large-scale human decision-making.
TikTok's algorithm suppresses critical content about China
A study published in Frontiers in Social Psychology examines how TikTok's algorithm may manipulate content visibility to promote Chinese government narratives while suppressing criticism.
The study by researchers from Rutgers University and the Network Contagion Research Institute includes three analyses that compare TikTok with Instagram and YouTube.
Key findings
1
TikTok suppresses critical content about China
Compared to Instagram and YouTube, TikTok shows significantly less content that is critical of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on sensitive topics such as Tiananmen Square, the Uyghurs, Tibet, and Xinjiang. Instead, users are often presented with irrelevant or distracting content, making finding critical information more challenging.
2
TikTok amplifies pro-CCP content beyond user engagement levels
Although users engaged significantly more with anti-CCP content, TikTok's algorithm promoted pro-CCP videos at a much higher rate. This trend was not seen on Instagram or YouTube, where algorithmic amplification aligned more closely with user engagement.
3
Heavy TikTok users hold more favourable views of China
A survey of 1,214 American adults revealed that individuals who spent more time on TikTok had notably more favourable views of China's human rights record. Additionally, they were more inclined to view China as a desirable travel destination. These findings remained significant even after accounting for political affiliation, age, and ethnicity.
4
TikTok's algorithmic bias may serve Chinese state interests
The study indicates that TikTok's content curation aligns with the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) propaganda objectives, raising concerns about foreign influence on social media. Although no direct evidence of CCP interference in TikTok's algorithm was found, previous reports suggest connections between ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, and Chinese government entities.
Russian propaganda campaign exploited Meta's ad system despite sanctions
This report reveals how the Social Design Agency (SDA), a Kremlin-affiliated IT firm, utilised Meta's advertising platform to conduct a large-scale Russian influence operation despite being sanctioned by the EU, US, and UK.
Key findings
1
Russian influence operation evaded Meta's ad rules
The SDA coordinated a propaganda campaign called 'Doppelgänger,' which was state-sponsored and aimed at spreading pro-Russian narratives through thousands of advertisements on Meta. This operation employed fake accounts and deceptive ad disclosures to circumvent Meta's regulations on political advertising.
2
Meta approved and profited from sanctioned propaganda ads
Despite the sanctions imposed by the EU on the SDA in July 2023 and by the US in March 2024, Meta continued to approve and distribute ads linked to the SDA. Between August 2023 and October 2024, the company generated at least $338,000 from these ads in the EU alone.
3
SDA used AI and rapid-response tactics to shape narratives
The SDA leveraged AI tools like ChatGPT to create propaganda content, including memes, cartoons, and misleading news stories. Their ads were designed to respond within 48 hours to major global events, such as the Hamas attack in Israel and the Moscow Crocus City Hall attack, to exploit real-time emotions.
4
Meta failed to enforce political ad transparency rules
Meta's policies mandate that political advertisers disclose their funding sources; however, the ads from SDA did not provide proper identification. Some ads employed randomly generated names such as 'Dr. Abbey Spencer IV' or used meaningless characters like '.' or 'Fake' for advertiser names. This situation highlights loopholes in Meta's moderation system.
AI and digitalisation will create job growth towards 2030
The World Economic Forum has released a report examining how technology, economic changes, and demographic shifts will transform global labour markets. The report emphasises the effects artificial intelligence, automation, and digital transformation will have on the media and technology sectors in the coming years.
It incorporates insights from over 1,000 international companies and covers 22 industries across 55 countries, including Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
Key findings
1
78 million more jobs
Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation are the primary factors influencing job growth and decline. It is estimated that by 2030, 92 million jobs will be lost globally. However, 170 million new jobs are expected to be created during the same period. This results in a net growth of seven per cent in total employment compared to today, equating to an increase of 78 million jobs.
2
AI and automation will reshape media jobs
AI-driven tools, including generative AI and information processing technologies, are poised to revolutionise content creation, distribution, and audience engagement. According to the report, 86 per cent of employers across various industries view AI as a crucial factor in driving business transformation. This shift is expected to create new job roles focused on AI-assisted content creation and hybrid positions that combine editorial and technology skills while decreasing the demand for traditional production jobs.
3
Demand for digital skills will surge
The media industry is rapidly shifting towards AI, big data, and cybersecurity, making digital literacy essential. Employers predict a high demand for skills in AI, information processing, network security, and content personalisation strategies.
4
Automation will reduce human-driven tasks
By 2030, a substantial portion of work in media and technology will be automated, resulting in a decrease in tasks carried out exclusively by humans. Nonetheless, collaboration between humans and machines will continue to be vital, especially in positions that demand creativity, ethical judgment, and audience engagement.
5
Remote and hybrid work models will expand
To attract top talent, 58 per cent of media and technology companies are expected to adopt remote and hybrid work models. This transition could pave the way for increased cross-border collaborations and decentralised media operations.
6
AI will influence media consumption and business models
As AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, traditional media outlets must reconsider their revenue models. Many already invest in AI-driven content curation and audience personalisation while negotiating new licensing agreements with AI platforms to safeguard their intellectual property.
Lack of transparency in AI tools threatens media integrity
This Media and Journalism Research Center report analyses the financial structures and ownership of AI tools utilised in journalism. It raises concerns regarding transparency, bias, and accountability in AI-driven media.
Key findings
1
67 per cent of AI journalism tools lack transparency
Out of the 100 AI tools examined, only 33 per cent provided adequate information regarding financials and ownership. Most tools failed to disclose important details about their investors, revenue, and company structure. This lack of transparency hinders the ability to evaluate potential biases or conflicts of interest in the AI tools that journalists depend on.
2
AI fact-checking tools may introduce bias
Nearly a quarter (23%) of the AI tools analysed in the study offered fact-checking services. However, more than 56 per cent of these tools were found to lack transparency. This raises concerns that undisclosed investors or geopolitical interests may influence the fact-checking capabilities of these AIs. The report warns that journalists using these opaque AI tools without realising their lack of transparency could undermine public trust in news reporting.
3
Tech startups dominate AI journalism tools
Most AI tools analysed were created by startups and smaller companies focusing on artificial intelligence rather than by major tech giants like Google or Microsoft. However, several well-funded AI tools—such as Claude AI, Dataminr, and Notion—are supported by significant investors, including Google, Amazon, and various venture capital firms.
4
Investment firms shape AI in journalism
Y Combinator was the most frequent investor, supporting eight AI tools, while Google invested in four. The study points out that major financial players, such as BlackRock and Vanguard, have stakes in the AI tools used by journalists. These financial connections raise ethical questions regarding the influence of AI systems on news reporting and public discourse.
5
Geopolitical influence in AI-powered media
A case study of the AI fact-checking tool Clarity revealed its close connections to the Israeli government, including the CEO's background in Israeli intelligence. Clarity has been employed to verify content related to the Israel-Hamas war, raising concerns about potential political influence in AI-powered news verification.