AI adoption accelerates in journalism, finds Muck Rack report

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1. https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2026/03/284516/state-of-journalism-2026-report-shows-rising-ai-use-growing-concerns-over-disinformation-and-funding/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
2. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/03/19/3259178/0/en/Muck-Rack-s-2026-State-of-Journalism-Report-Finds-82-of-Journalists-Use-AI.html – Muck Rack’s 2026 State of Journalism Report reveals that 82% of journalists use AI tools, with ChatGPT leading at 47% and Gemini at 22%. Concerns about unchecked AI use have risen to 26%, matching worries about public trust. Disinformation and lack of funding remain top challenges, each cited by 32% of journalists. Social media’s role in reporting has declined, with only 21% considering it very important, down from 33% in 2024. LinkedIn is the most trusted platform, with 58% of journalists saying it treats content fairly, while distrust in TikTok has climbed to 61%. Safety concerns, such as harassment and reputation risks, affect how nearly 59% of journalists use social media professionally. Despite these challenges, 62% of journalists report expanded responsibilities beyond their original roles, often with limited time to meet standards. PR relationships continue to influence story development, with 86% of journalists stating that at least some of their stories are inspired by PR pitches, though 88% immediately delete pitches that don’t match their coverage.
3. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/06/10/3096945/0/en/Disinformation-and-Misinformation-Are-Top-Concerns-in-Journalism-According-to-a-New-Muck-Rack-Report.html – Muck Rack’s 2025 State of Journalism report highlights that over one-third of journalists identify disinformation and misinformation as the most serious issues impacting journalism. Concerns about public trust, funding, political polarization, and government interference are also significant. The report indicates a rapid growth in AI adoption within newsrooms, with 77% of journalists using AI tools in their work. ChatGPT is the most utilized AI tool, followed by transcription tools at 40% and Grammarly at 35%. The report underscores the evolving nature of newsrooms and journalism, with journalists increasingly publishing independently, building audiences, and monetizing their work.
4. https://www.journalismpakistan.com/ai-tools-fuel-newsroom-shift-raise-ethics-concerns/ – A recent industry report released in March 2026 offers a detailed look at how artificial intelligence, disinformation, and digital tools are rapidly reshaping journalism, with both opportunities and risks emerging across global newsrooms. The ‘State of Journalism 2026’ report by Muck Rack draws on survey data from journalists worldwide, highlighting how technology-driven changes are now central to reporting, editing, and audience engagement strategies. The report indicates that AI adoption is accelerating across newsrooms, with concerns about errors, opacity, and over-reliance, as well as the ongoing issue of misinformation undermining public trust.
5. https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2026/03/284516/state-of-journalism-2026-report-shows-rising-ai-use-growing-concerns-over-disinformation-and-funding/ – A new global survey of journalists paints a picture of an industry trying to keep up with rapid change, where artificial intelligence is becoming both a tool and a growing source of concern. Muck Rack’s 2026 State of Journalism report, based on responses from more than 1,000 journalists across a range of roles, including reporters, editors, producers, photojournalists, and newsroom managers, shows that disinformation and lack of funding remain the biggest challenges, each cited by 32% of respondents. Anxiety around AI is rising fast. Concerns about unchecked AI use jumped to 26%, up from 18% last year, putting it on par with worries about public trust. At the same time, AI is already deeply embedded in newsrooms. Around 82% of journalists say they now use some form of AI tool in their work. ChatGPT leads at 47%, while Google’s Gemini has grown sharply to 22%. Other tools like transcription software remain widely used, holding steady at 40%. The shift is not just technical. It’s changing how journalists feel about their work. Most still describe journalism as meaningful, with 65% choosing that word. But nearly half, 47%, say it feels exhausting, and 38% say it feels precarious. The job is still rewarding for many. Just not easy. AI rises as social media influence shifts While AI use climbs, reliance on social media for reporting is actually falling. Only 21% of journalists now say social platforms are very important to producing their work, down from 33% in 2024. Still, social media remains key for promotion, with 45% calling it very important. There are also clear shifts in trust. LinkedIn stands out as the most trusted platform, with 58% of journalists saying it treats content fairly. TikTok is moving in the opposite direction, with distrust rising to 61%. Safety concerns are also shaping behavior online. Nearly 59% of journalists say issues like harassment or reputation risks affect how they use social media professionally. Despite all the disruption, the core workflow of journalism hasn’t disappeared. It’s just more stretched. About 62% of journalists say their responsibilities have expanded beyond their original role. Many are doing more, often with limited time. While most say they can meet their standards at least sometimes, 15% say they rarely or never have enough time to do so. PR relationships continue to play a role in how stories are developed. Around 86% of journalists say at least some of their stories are inspired by PR pitches. But relevance is critical. A striking 88% say they immediately delete pitches that don’t match their coverage. The findings point to a profession in transition, not collapse. AI is now part of the workflow, even as many journalists remain uneasy about how far it could go. At the same time, traditional pressures haven’t eased. Funding is tight, trust is fragile, and workloads keep expanding. The result is a newsroom environment that is evolving quickly, but not necessarily becoming more stable.
6. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240312456517/en/Muck-Rack-Survey-28-of-Journalists-Are-Using-AI-20-Plan-To-Explore-It – Muck Rack’s seventh annual State of Journalism report reveals that 28% of journalists are using AI in their workflow, with 20% planning to explore it. The survey also found that nearly 60% of newsrooms have no AI use case policy. Journalists are using AI for tasks such as brainstorming (52%), research (51%), and drafting headlines (34%). The report highlights ongoing challenges in the industry, including concerns about funding and public trust, with over one-third of journalists reporting layoffs or buyouts at their organizations in the past year.
7. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/01/21/3222759/0/en/Muck-Rack-Report-Finds-Generative-AI-Adoption-in-PR-Has-Leveled-Off.html – Muck Rack’s 2026 State of AI in PR report indicates that 76% of PR professionals use generative AI, a figure largely unchanged from the previous year. The report also highlights that 51% of PR professionals now work at organizations with an AI use case policy, up from 21% in 2024. Additionally, 75% of PR professionals use at least one paid AI tool, up from 57% last year. The report examines how PR professionals are using, governing, and evaluating generative AI, and discusses concerns about the future of the profession, including the potential impact of heavy AI use on foundational industry skills.